^::><;'<.KX>=:.x,x>-;;X--=::x::-;.><><>< 


THE 


X 
y 


FARMER'S  AND  HORSEMAf  S  TRUE  GUIDE, 

POi.STING   OUT    THE 

PERFECTIONS  AND  IMPERFECTIONS 

OK   THE 


X 


\> 


HORSE, 


WITH 


A 


V 


CURES  FOR  HIS  DISEASES, 

AXD    FOR 

NEAT  CATTLE  AND  SHEEP; 

TOGETHER    WITH    USEFUL    RECIPES    IN    GABDENING, 
HORTICULTURE    AND    DOMESTIC   ECONOMY. 


X 


FROM  PRACTICAL  EXPERIENCE, 

WELL    TRIED    AND    APPllOVED    BY    FARMERS,    FAKRIEKS,  &C. 


y 


ROCHESTER : 

PUBLISHED  BY  G.  W.  FISHER  &  Co.. 

FOR    JOHN     M.     CLAftK. 
1841. 


^'^^  X^-i:><X>0-:.>'.>:^y 


:X>-:jK^-C--<'-.-''^-'.X 


JOHNA.SEAVERNS 


■A.. 


THE 


FARMER'S  AND  HORSEMEN'S  TRUE  GUIDE, 


rOINTIXG    OUT   THE 


rCRFECTIONS  AND  IMPERFECTIOTs'S 


OF    THE 


HORSE, 


WITH 


CURES  FOR  HIS  DISEASES, 


AND    FOR 


NEAT  CATTLE  AND  SHEEP ; 

TOGETHER    WITH    USEFUL    RECIPES     IN    GARDENINOf 
HORTICULTURE    AND    DOMESTIC    ECONOMY; 


FROM  PRACTICAL  EXPERIENCE, 

IVELL    TRIED    A.VD    APPROVED    BY    FARMERS.    FARRIERS,  &.C. 


ROCHESTER : 

TUBLISHED  BY  G.  W.  FISHER  &  Co. 

1841. 


^^ 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


THIS  little  work  having  been  published  very  ex- 
pensively in  other  places,  and  highly  approved,  on 
account  of  the  correctness  and  usefulness  of  the  in- 
formation it  con^tains,  it  has  been  thought  worthy  of  a 
general  circulation  in  this  and  other  sections  of  the 
country,  where,  as  yet,  it  is  but  little  known.  It  i3 
therefore  presented  in  a  cheap  form,  that  every  per- 
son may  be  able  to  possess  himself  of  it.  It  contains 
n  variety  of  important  information,  gained  by  many 
years'  scientific  and  practical  experience.  Besides, 
several  new  discoveries  and  improvements  have  been 
added,  from  the  memoranda  of  experienced  farriers 
and  others  in  these  parts  ;  especially  certain  cures  for 
Black  Tongue,  Founders,  Hoof  Ails,  Botis,  CholiCy 
and  other  diseases.  It  may  be  confidently  relied  on  as 
containing  the  most  correct  information  to  be  found  at 
Sjie  present,  any  where. 


THE  GUIDE 


PLAIN  AND  USEFUL  DIRECTIONS, 

TO  PERSONS,   ON   GOING   TO  PURCHASE    A   HORSE, 
WITH  RULES  FOR  DISCOVERING  THE  PERFEC- 
TIONS AND  BLEMISHES  OF  THAT  NOBLE 
ANIMAL. 

Nothing  is  more  true  than  the  common  observation, 
that  in  the  art  of  horsemanship,  the  most  difficult  part 
is  that  of  giving  proper  directions  for  the  purchasing 
of  a  horse  free  from  fault  and  blemish.  The  decep- 
tions in  this  branch  of  traffic  being  numerous,  it  is  the 
object  of  the  following  remarks,  to  shew,  in  a  plain 
manner,  the  perfections  and  imperfections,  to  which 
horses  are  liable,  by  nature  and  mischance. 

The  persons  about  to  purchase  a  horse,  should  not 
only  keep  in  mind  the  color,  height,  and  price  of  a 
horse,  but  also  the  usual  defects  of  the  country;  such 
as  faulty  sight,  flat  hoof,  too  brittle,  or  too  soft,  and 
affections  of  the  lungs. 

Those  things  being  well  thought  of,  the  purchaser 
will  look  at  the  horse  sideways,  at  a  tolerably  distance; 
he  will  choose  him  as  nearly  as  possible  one  tenth  lon- 
ger than  he  is  high,  measuring  from  the  breast  to  the 
quarter,  and  from  the  withers  to  the  ground,  so  that  if 
the  horse  be  five  feet  high,  his  length  should  be  five 
feet  and  a  half. 

Preserving  the  same  situation,  he  will  see, 

1st.  If  the  horse  has  a  small  head,  not  too  fleshy, 
perfectly  free  from  tumors,  and  well  placed,  neither 
carrying  it  too  high  nor  too  low. 

2d.  If  he  has  not  an  ill-shaped  neck,  with  his  wind- 
pipe hanging  too  low,  or  bending. 

3d.  Whether  his  withers  be  either  too  sharp  or  too 
large  ;  with  fleshy  shoulders. 

4th.   Whether  he  is  not  hollow  backed. 

5th.  Whether  his  chest  be  v/ell  formed ;  neither  too 
round  nor  too  flat. 


6th.   Whether  he  he  low  bellied,  with  small  sheath. 

7th,   Whether  he  be  touched  in  the  wind, 

8th.  If  his  fore  legs  be  not  too  slender,  or  his  hock 
do- not  bend  forward  too  much. 

9ih.  If  the  tendons  or  back  sinews  be  not  ailing, 
i.  e.  either  sore  to  the  touch  or  else  fliff-jointed. 

10th.  Whether  the  animal  be  not  either  long-jointed 
or  short-jointed. 

11th.  Whether  he  be  strained  in  the  pastern  joint, 
going  low. 

12th.   Whether  flat-footed,  with  low  heels. 

13th.  Whether  not  narrow  at  the  hind  quarters. 

14th.  Whether  he  has  not  spavin,  windgall,  curb, 
ring-bone,  or  thorough-pin,  or  is  likely  to  cut. 

15th.  Examine  his  sole  and  heel  for  thrush,  canker 
or  corn,  and  if  contraction  has  not  taken  place. 

No  foot, no  horse.  His  hoofs  must  be  strong,smoolh, 
hard,  deep,  tough,  upright,  and  hollow  for  they  are 
the  foundation  of  his  building,  and  give  a  fortitude  to 
all  the  rest. 

Having  given  these  directions,  we  will  next  give  a 
celebrated  horse  dealer's  description  of  a  good  horse. 
**His  head  ought  to  be  lean,  of  good  size,  and  long; 
■his  jowls  thin  and  open ;  his  ears  small  and  pricked  ; 
or,  if  they  be  somewhat  long,  provided  they  be  upright 
like  those  of  the  fox,  it  is  usually  a  sign  of  mettle  and 
toughness.  His  forehead  long  and  broad  ;  not  mare- 
faced,  but  rising  in  the  middle  like  that  of  a  hare,  the 
feather  being  placed  above  the  top  of  his  eye,  the  con- 
trary being  thought  by  some  to  betoken  approachin 
blindness,  his  eye  t'ull, large  &  bright  ;  his  nostrils  wide, 
and  red  within;  for  an  open  nostril  betokens  good  wind. 
His  mouth  large,  deep  in  the  wykes,  and  hairy.  His 
windpipe  big,  unconfined,  and  straight  when  he  is  rein- 
ed in  by  the  bridle,  for  if  it  bends  like  a  bow,  or  cock- 
throttled,  it  very  much  hinders  the  passage  of  his  wind. 
His  head  must  be  so  set  on  his  neck, that  there  should  be 
a  space  felt  between  the  neck  and  the  jowl  ,*  for,  to  be 
bull-necked,  is  uncomely  to  the  sight  and  prejudicial  to 
the  horse's  wind.  His  crest  should  be  firm,  thin,  and 
well  risen  ;  his  neck  long  and  straight,  yet  not  loose 
and  pliant ;  his  breast  strong  and  broad' ;  his  chest 
deep  at  the  girth,  his  body  of  good  size  and  close  rib- 

a3 


6 

bed  up  to  the  stifle ;  his  ribs  round  like  a  barrel,  his 
fillets  large,  his  quarters  rather  oval  than  broad,  reach- 
ing well  down  to  the  gaskins.  His  hockbone  upright, 
not  bending  ;  which  some  term  sickle  houghed,  and 
think  it  denotes  fastness  and  a  laster.  His  legs  should 
be  clean,  flat  and  straight  ;  his  joints  short,  well  knit, 
and  upright,  especially  at  the  pastern  and  hoofs,  with 
but  little  hair  at  the  fetlocks ;  his  hoofs  black,  strong, 
and  hollow,  and  rather  long  and  narrow,  than  large 
and  flat.  His  mane  and  tail  should  be  long  and  thin 
rather  than  very  thick,  which  some  think  a  mark  of 
dullness. 

HOW  TO  TELL  A  HORSE'S  AGE. 

General  appearance  bespeaks  the  age  of  every  ani- 
mal ;  of  the  horse,  we  can  make  a  fair  estimate  of  his 
years  from  his  birth  to  twelve,  by  means  of  his  teeth. 
When  we  open  the  mouth  of  a  full  grown,  or  4  year 
old  horse,  we  perceive  twelve  nipper  teeth  in  front, 
and  twenty-four  grinders  behind ;  between  the  two 
setts  above  and  below,  a  space  is  seen  on  the  gum,  de- 
signed by  nature  to  recieve  the  bit,  and  termed  the 
bars  of  the  upper  or  lower  jaw,  as  the  case  may  be. 
About  an  inch  behind  the  last  of  the  front  teeth,  the 
male  has  tushes  at  this  age,  which  seldom  occurs  with 
mares.  The  tushes  coming  up  in  the  lower  jaw  some- 
times occasions  soreness  at  the  bars,  when  these  are 
to  be  lanced,  and  tushes  appear;  this  the  dealers  ef- 
fect prematurely  at  times;  and  having  also  drawn  out 
the  two  front  sucking  teeth,  this  causes  the  "horse 
teeth,''  to  come  up  soon,  so  that  the  animal  may  ap- 
pear four  years  old  before  its  time.  Pursuing  the 
same  species  of  deception,  they  proceed  to  draw  the 
remaining  sucking  teeth,  that  the  animal  may  assume 
the  appearance  of  a  four  year  old.  Jockies  have  then 
a  pass  word,  *all  up.' 

In  examining  the  mouth  to  ascertain  the  age,  we 
leave  entirely  out  of  consideration  the  grinding  teeth, 
and  chiefly  rely  upon  the  under  jaw  ;  though  when 
deception  may  be  suspected,  the  buyer  should  refer  to 
the  upper  teeth  also,  as  these  follow  the  same  course 
as  the  lower,  but  do  not  decay  so  fast  by  age. 

The  cuts  represent  2  1-2,  3,  4,  6,  and  7  yrs.  of  age. 


m/^. 


/ftfefii 


This  first  representation  shows  a 
correct  view  of  the  appearance 
of  the  teeth,  denoting  the  age  at 
two  years  and  a  half,  previous  to 
which  age  ihey  ai'e  smooth  and 
unmarked.  During  this  age,  the 
jocky  sometimes  'files'  2  or  four 
front  teeth  hollow  in  the  middle ; 
but  compare  them  with  the  upper 
jaw,  etc. 

On  rising  three  years  old,  the 
two  fore  teeth  behnv  and  above, 
fall  out,  and  are  replaced  by  horse 
teeth,  with  the  hollow  mark  in 
the  middle  ;  they  are  also  larger 
and  darker  color  than  the  sucking 
ing  teeth.  Some  time  after,before 
four  years,  two  more  are  shed, 
and  larger,  browner  horse  teeth 
appear,  with  the  black  mark — j^)^£ 
the  tushes  also  put  forth,  and  the 
horse  is  full  mouthed,  as  per  sec- 
ond cut  in  the  margin. 

Only  the  comers  now  are  un- 
shed colt's  teeth,  which  remain 
imtil  the  middle  of  the  4  th  year, 
when  they  are  displaced  by  horse- 
teeth,  and  their  marks  just  pei-- 
teptible.  At  five  years,  they  be- 
come larger,  more  strongly  mark-  ^^^^^J^^ 
ed,  and  are  grooved  on  the  inside, 
which  denotes  the  age  of  five:  no 
deception  can  be  practiced,  nor 
as  regai'ds  the  tushes,  which  are 
now  curved,  ha-s-ing  groves  inside, 
which  may  be  felt  in  the  above 
cut  for  four  or  five  years,  and 
plainly  seen  in  the  annexed  cut 
for  a  five  years  old.  At  five,  too, 
the  two  front  teeth  begin  to  ap- 
pear worn,  principally  on  the 
outer  edges ;  the  wearing  goes  on 
and  at  six,  the  sui-face  is  level, 
and  the  grooves  on  the  comer 
tcech  fill  up,  and  the  curve  in  the 
tushes  is  diminished,  and  seven 
years,  I'epresented  by  the  last  cut 
annexed,  the  grooves  of  the  tush- 
es^fill  up,  and  become  convex  in 
another  year  or  two. 
en,  only  the  two  corner 

tain  the  mark,  and  thatbui.  smcLii.  i''i^''>'-:Tr^^itf -^^ 
These  soon  after  likewise  become  ^^^-j^^IEA^N 
smooth .  ;^^^g£^^^^^ ,.  ^, 

This  is  the  slate  of  the   lower  — ^-i^ijt'Tis, 

jaw  ut  seven  years  old. 


After  seven,  the  age  may  be  known  by  the  upper 
jaw,  the  teeth  of  which  have  the  same  marks,  but 
they  do  not  fill  up  so  fust  by  two  years  ;  so  that  a 
tolerably  correct  judgment  of  his  age  may  be  formed 
until  he  is  twelve  years  old.  The  marks  in  ihe  two 
from  teeth  of  the  upper  jaw  are  not  obliterated  until 
eight  years  old,  and  the  next  two  become  smooth  only 
at  the  tength  year  ;  being  each  two  years  later  than 
happens  to  the  corresponding  teeth  of  the  lower  jaw  ; 
whilst  the  two  corner  teeth  above  do  not  lose  their 
marks  until  the  twelfth  year. 

All  horses  are  marked  in  the  same  manner.  Ar- 
tificial ones  made  by  tiie  jockey,  to  imitate  six  or  se- 
ven years  old  must  be  guarded  against.  Some  throw 
down  the  horse  to  have  him  more  at  command,  and 
xvith  a  steel  graver,  like  what  are  used  for  ivory,  hoi- 
low  the  middle  teeth  a  little,  and  the  corner  ones 
somewhat  more  ;  then  fill  the  holes  with  a  little  rosin 
or  pilch,  or  sulphur,  or  some  grains  of  wheat,  which 
they  burn  in  with  a  bit  of  hot  wire,  made  in  propor- 
tion to  the  hole.  This  is  repealed  until  they  give  the 
hole  a  lasting  black,  in  imitation  of  nature  ;  but  in 
spite  of  all  they  can  do,  the  hot  iron  makes  a  little 
yellowish  circle  round  these  holes^  like  what  it  would 
leave  upon  ivory  ;  they  have  therefore  another  trick 
to  prevent  detection,  which  is,  rubbing  the  horse's 
mouth,  lips,  and  gums  with  salt,  aud  the  crumb  of 
bread  dried  and  powdered  with  salt,  from  time  to  time 
to  make  the  horse  foam  at  the  mouth,  v.'hich  foam 
hides  the  yellow  circle  made  with  the  iron. 

It  may  be  well  to  remark,  that  the  tushes  are  safe 
guides,  after  the  marks   disappear  from  the  teeth. — 

If  the  tusk  be  pointed  flat,  and  you  can  feel  with 
your  fingers  two  little  channels  on  the  within  side, 
you  may  be  certain  the  horse  is  not  old,  and  at  the 
most  only  coming  ten.  Between  eleven  and  twelve 
the  two  channels  are  reduced  to  one,  which  after 
twelve  is  quite  gone,  and  the  tushes  are  as  round 
within  as  they  are  without.  When  horses  are  young 
also  the  teeth  mest  perpendicularly,  but  grow  longer 
and  push  forward  with  age  ;  besides,  the  mouth  of  a 
young  horse  is  very  fleshy  within  the  palate,  and  his 
lips  are  firm  and  hard  ;  on  the  contrary,  the  inside  of 


an  okl  horse^s  mouth  is  lean  both  above  and  below, 
and  seems  to  have  only  the  skin  upon  the  bones. 

The  tushes  of  old  horses  then,  have  neither  curve 
nor  groove  ;  and  they  wear  away  at  the  points  as  if 
they  had  been  broken  off  and  polished  again ;  the 
corner  leeth  appear  long  and  leaning  forward  ,  the 
upper  teeth  project  over  the  lower»  and  all  lose  their 
oblong  shape,  whilst  the  gum  recedes  and  leaves  the 
roots  bare,  so  that  the  teeth  seem  as  if  grown  longer. 
When  the  teeth  do  not  so  meet  evenly,  certain  deal- 
ers file  away  the  projecting  teeth.  In  a  {ew  cases  we 
have  noticed  deviations  from  the  general  rule,  which 
none  have  been  able  to  account  for,  unless  it  be  that 
such  animals  were  got  by  old  parents,  when  the  hol- 
iowness  over  the  eyes  will  be  found  to  disfigure 
young  colts  of  the  most  tender  years.  Some,  again, 
lose  the  mark  in  their  teeth,  except  the  corners,  as 
early  as  five  years  ;  others  have  hard  mouths  and 
the  bars  almost  callous  ;  but  all  those  have  the  hoi- 
low  just  spoken  of.  This  defect  dealers  endeavour 
to  rectify  by  puncturing  the  skin  and  blowing  it  up. 
On  the  other  hand,  some  horses  are  so  strong  in 
the  mouth,  or  rather  healthy,  that  the  marks  of  five 
years  old  are  retained  by  them  until  six  or  seven- 
Further  up  to  ten  or  eleven  years  old,  the  teeth 
generally  retain  their  oblong  figure  and  touch  each 
other.  From  this  period  the  teeth  contract  in  size, 
become  roundish,  and  leave  a  small  space  between 
them  ;  which  space  increases  up  to  the  fourteenth  or 
fifteenth  year,  when  each  tooth  assumes  an  angular 
shape,  and  projects  forward  irregularly.  In  another 
year  or  two  the  upper  lip  hangs  down,  the  jaw  becomes 
neaped  and  contracted,  the  gum  recedes  considerably 
from  the  roots,  and  the  shape  of  the  teeth  is  then  of 
an  oblong,  but  directly  contrary  to  the  first.  More- 
over, the  eyes  of  a  horse  approaching  twenty,  wax 
yellowish,  he  winks  much,  and  the  inner  skin  of  his 
mouth  turns  outward. 

Another  Mark. — The  age  of  a  horse  is  knotvn  by 

little  nubs  on  the  large  cords  of  the    neck,    one   of 

which  nubs  may   be  felt  with  the  fingers  at  thirteen 

years  old  after  which  age,  one  nub  comes  every  year. 

At  that  age,  also,  a  similar  nub  may  be  felt  on  the 


10 

sides  oT  his  tail  ;  one  of  which  also  comes  on  each 
side  every  year.  Horse  dealers  rely  upon  them,,  let 
the  owners  or  sellers  say  what  they  may  against  it. 

We  will  next  point  out  the  defects  in  the  horse's 
mouth,  which  must  be  attended  to,  as  they  may  de- 
stroy a  horse.  There  are  the  barbs,  the  lampas,  the 
giggs  upon  the  lips,  and  the  gagg-teeth.  They  tire 
described  separately  as  follows  : 

The  Barbs. — For  the  barbs  look  under  his  tongue 
and  see  if  he  has  not  two  fleshy  excrescences  on  the 
under  palate  like  horse  bladders.  It  seems  to  be  a 
mere  trifle,  but  these,  however,  will  hinder  a  horse 
from  drinking  as  usual  ;  and  if  he  does  not  drink 
freely,  he  eats  the  less,  and  languishes  from  day  to 
day,  perhaps,  without  any  person  taking  notice  of  it. 

The  Lampas. — The  lampas  is  known  by  opening 
the  horse's  mouth,  and  looking  at  his  upper  palate,  to 
see  if  the  flesh  comes  down  below  the  inner  teeth  ; 
this  gives  him  pain  in  eating  his  oats,  and  even  his 
hay,  when  it  is  too  harsh  ;  though  he  can  very  well 
manage  bran,  grass  or  kind  hay. 

Cure. — Purgatives  should  be  employed  ;  bran 
mashe?,  in  which  an  ounce  of  nitre  daily  has  been  in- 
fused, may  also  be  given  until  the  pulse  becomes 
more  natural.  If  the  lampas  be  not  lessened  by  these 
means,  the  projecting  part  is  to  be  cut  with  a  lancet, 
but  some  persons  commence  operating  with  a  searing 
iron,  as  the  readiest  way,  and  give  physic  afterwards. 
This  application  never  fails, 

GiGGS  UPON  THE  LIPS. — Tum  Up  his  lips,  both 
upper  and  under,  and  perhaps  you  may  find  several 
small  elevations  like  little  while  blisters,  which  make 
the  inside  of  the  lips  uneven.  This  defect  may  be 
felt  with  the  finger,  and  is  what  hinders  horses  from 
eating  cis  usual.     This  is  called  gaggs   upon  the  lips. 

Gagg-Teeth. — It  is  a  defect  that  rarely  happens 
to  young  horses,  and  is  to  be  discovered  by  looking 
at  the  large  grinders,  which  in  this  case  appear  un- 
equal, and  in  eating  catch  hold  of  the  inside  of  the 
cheeks,  causing  great  pain  and  making  them  refuse 
their  food. 


11 

THE  HORSE'S  COUNTENANCE. 

First,  the  Eyes. — 'Examine  them  when  he  is  led 
from  the  stall  in  the  day  time  ;  cause  the  man  who 
leads  him,  to  stop  at  the  stable  door  just  as  his  head 
peeps  out,  and  ail  his  body  still  within.  If  the  white 
of  the  eye  appears  reddish  at  the  bottom,  or  of  a  color 
like  a  withered  leaf,  I  would  not  advise  you  to  pur- 
chase him.  A  moon-eyed  horse  is  known  by  his 
weeping,  and  keeping  his  eyes  almost  shut  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  distemper.  Dealers  always  tell  you 
that  he  has  got  a  bit  of  straw  or  dirt  in  his  eye,  or  he 
has  received  some  blow  ;  they  also  wipe  away  the  hu- 
mour, to  prevent  its  being  seen.  A  man  must  re- 
member these  things  and  examine  for  himself.  Ne- 
ver examine  a  horse's  eye  by  the  side  of  a  white  wall, 
or  where  snow  is  on  the  ground,  where  the  dealers 
always  choose  to  show  a  moon-eyed  horse.  The 
moon-eyed  horse  has  always  one  eye  bigger  than  the 
other,  and  above  his  lids  you  may  generally  discover 
wrinkles  or  circles.  Look  also  and  see  if  you  observe 
a  fleshy  excrescence  that  proceeds  from  ihe  corner 
of  the  eye,  and  covers  a  part  of  the  pupil,  and  is  in 
shape  almost  like  the  beard  of  an  oyster,  though 
seemingly  a  mattsr  of  no  great  consequence,  yet  it 
is  what  I  call  a  whitlow  in  the  eye,  and  if  suffered  to 
grow,  it  draws  away  the  nourishment  of  the  eye,  and 
sometimes  occasions  a  total  privation  of  sight.  On 
the  contrary,  if  the  eyes  are  round,  big,  black  and 
shining ;  if  the  black  of  the  eye  fill  the  pit  or  out- 
ward circumference,  so  that  in  moving,  very  little  of 
the  white  appeareth,  they  are  signs  of  goodness  and 
mettle.  The  eye  that  in  general  is  esteemed  the  best, 
is  that  which  is  neither  small  nor  large  ;  but  be  sure 
to  observe  that  the  chrystalline  be  thoroughly  trans- 
parent, for  without  that  no  kind  of  eye  can  be  said  to 
be  good. 

Next  take  a  view  of  his  countenance  generally  ; 
especially  with  regard  to  the  cheerfulness  of  it ;  this 
being  an  excellent  glass  to  observee  his  goodness  and 
best  perfections.  Be  careful  you  are  not  deceived  by 
the  marks  in  his  face,  as  frequently  a  good  looking 
star  is  made  of  cat's  skin.  if  his  ears  be  small, 
sharp,   short,  pricked,   and   moving  ;  or   if  they  are 


12 

long,  but.  yet  well  set  on,  and  well  carried,  it  is  a  mark 
of  goodness  ;  if  they  are  thick,  laved,  or  lolling,  wide 
set,  and  unmoving,  they  are  signs  of  dulncss,  and  of 
an  evil  nature.  A  lean  forehead,  swelling  outward, 
the  mark  or  feather  in  his  face  set  high,  with  a  white 
star  or  ratch  of  an  indifferent  size,  and  even  placed, 
or  a  white  snip  on  the  nose  or  lip,  they  are  all,  signs 
of  beauty  and  goodness  ;  on  the  contrary,  a  fat  cloudy 
or  frowning  countenance  the  mark  in  his  face  stand- 
ing low,  as  under  his  eyes ;  if  this  star  or  retch  stand 
awry,  and  instead  of  a  snip,  his  nose  be  raw  and  un- 
hairy,  or  his  face  generally  bald,  they  are  signs  of 
deformity. 

Strangles. — Handle  his  cheeks  or  chaps,  and  if 
you  find  the  bones  lean  and  thin,  the  space  wide  be- 
tween them,  the  throttle  or  windpipe  big  as  you  can 
gripe,  and  the  void  pface  without  knots  or  kernels, 
and  the  jaw  so  great  that  the  neck  seemeth  to  couch 
within  them,  they  arc  all  signs  of  great  wind,  cour- 
age, soundness  of  head  and  body  ;  on  the  contrary, 
if  the  chops  are  fat  and  thick,  the  space  between  them 
closed  up  with  gross  substance,  and  the  throttle  little, 
they  are  signs  of  short  wind  and  much  inward  foul- 
ness ;  should  the  void  place  be  full  of  knots  and  ker- 
nels, beware  of  the  strangles  or  glanders,  the  former 
of  which  may  be  easily  discovered  by  a  swelling  be- 
tween the  two  nether  jaw  bones,  which  discharges  a 
white  matter.  This  disorder  usually  appears  about 
at  three,  four,  or  five  years  old  ;  there  is  no  young 
horse  but  what  is  subject  to  it  either  perfectly  or  im- 
perfectly. If  the  horse  has  not  been  properly  cured, 
he  will  become  languid  at  work,  seem  weary  without 
any  apparent  cause,  and  at  sometimes  it  will  effect 
the  foot,  leg,  ham,  haunch,  shoulder,  breast  or  the  eye, 
and  may  corrupt  the  pupil  of  the  eye.  The  cure  will 
be  given  under  the  appropriate  head. 

MoRFOUNDER  is^uothcr  disorder  to  be  guarded 
against  in  purchasing  a  horse.  It  is  much  like  the 
strangles,  and  is  distinguished  by  a  running  at  the 
nose,  bnt  the  swelling  under  the  jaw  is  less. 

Glanders,  also,  are  discovered  by  a  running  at 
the  nose.  Feel  if  he  has  any  flat  glands  fastened  to 
the  nether  jaw,  which  gives  him  pain  when  you  press 


13  EWJI^ 

them ;  and  remember  that  a  running  at  one  nostril  is 
worse  than  both. 

VivEs. — When  the  jaws  are  strait,  that  the  neck 
swellelh  above  ihem,  it  is  a  sign  of  short  wind  ;  but 
if  the  swelling  be  long,  and  close  by  his  chops,  like  a 
whetstone,  then  be  sure  he  has  the  vives,  which  is  a 
distemper  most  frequent  in  high  mountaneous  coun- 
tries, especially  lo  horses  that  are  not  used  to  them. 

For  a  description  of  other  defects  and  diseases,  re- 
fer to  the  appropriate  head,  where  cores  and  remedies 
are  also  given. 

WALK  AND  TROT  THE  HORSE. 

Take  notice,  in  walking  or  trotting  him  whether  he 
appears  to  limp  or  favor  either  of  his  legs  ;  and  also 
whether  the  far  fore  leg  and  near  hind  leg,  or  the 
near  fore  leg  and  far  hind  leg,  move  and  go  forward 
at  one  and  the  same  time  ;  and  in  this  motion,  the 
nearer  the  horse  taketh  his  limbs  from  the  ground,  the 
opener,  the  evener,  and  the  shorter  is  his  pace.  If  he 
takes  up  his  feet  slovenly,  it  shows  stumbling  or  lame- 
ness ;  to  tread  narrow,  or  cross,  shows  interfering, 
or  failing  ;  to  step  I'neven,  shows  weariness,  and  if 
he  treads  long,  you  may  be  apprehensive  he  forges, 
by  which  I  mean  that  when  he  walks  or  trots  he 
strikes  the  toes  of  his  hind  feet  against  the  corners  of 
his  shoes  before,  which  occasions  a  clattering  noise  as 
you  ride,  and  this  proceeds  from  weakness  in  his  fore 
legs.  A  horse  of  this  kind  is  not  near  so  serviceable 
as  one  exempt  from  it.  He  is  never  surefooted,  any 
more  than  one  who  has  tottering  or  bow  legs.  On 
his  being  mounted,  see  him  walk.  Observe  his  mouth 
that  he  pulls  fair,  not  too  high,  nor  bearing  down ; 
then  stand  behind  him>  and  see  if  he  goes  narrower 
before  than  behind,  as  every  good  one  will.  Take 
notice  that  he  brushes  not  by  going  too  close  ;  a  cer- 
tain sign  of  his  cutting  and  tiring  in  tiavelling  — 
Have  nothing  to  do  with  that  horse  that  thro.Va  his 
legs  confusedly  about,  and  crosses  them  before.  In 
his  trot  he  should  point  his  fore  legs  well  without 
clambering,  nor  yet  as  if  he  were  afraid  ;  and  that 
he  throws  well  in  his  hind  legs,  which  will  enable  him 
to  support  his  trot,  and  shoot  his  fore  parts  forward. 


14 

In  his  canter,  observe  he  does  not  fret,  but  goes  cool 
in  liis  pace  ;  and  in  his  gallop,  he  should  take  his  feet 
nimbly  from  the  ground,  and  not  raise  them  too  high, 
but  that  he  stretcheth  out  his  fore  legs  and  follows 
nimbly  with  his  hind  ones,  and  that  he  cutteth  not  un- 
der his  knee,  which  is  called  the  swift  or  speedy  cut, 
and  that  he  crosses  not,  nor  claps  one  foot  on  another, 
and  ever  leadeth  with  his  far  fore  foot,  and  not  with 
the  near  one.  If  he  gallops  round,  and  raises  his 
fore  feet,  he  may  be  said  to  gallop  strongly,  but  not 
swiftly  ;  and  if  he  labor  his  feet  confusedly,  and 
seems  to  gallop  painfully,  it  shews  some  hidden  lame- 
ness ;  for  in  all  his  paces,  you  should  particularly  ob- 
serve that  his  limbs  are  free,  without  the  least  stiff- 
nes«?. 

Now  that  he  has  been  well  exercised  in  those  dif=- 
ferent  paces,  it  is  your  time  to  examine  for  an  infirm- 
ity, not  easily  discovered,  and  that  is  what  I  call  tot- 
tering legs  ;  you  cannot  perceive  it  till  after  a  horse 
has  galloped  for  some  lime,  and  then,  by  letting  him 
rest  a  little  you  will  see  his  legs  tremble  under  him, 
which  is  the  disorder  I  mean  ;  however  handsome 
the  legs  of  such  horses  may  be,  he  never  can  stanch 
well  on  them. 


5^     -r^  _ 

HIS  DISEASES  AND  THEIR  CURES, 


FEVER. 
There  are  two  kinds  of  well  marked  fever  simply 
so  called  ;  first,  that  which  arises  from  the  pain  an 
animal  may  be  put  to  by  the  derangement  of  some 
main  organ  of  life,  by  misusage,  hard  riding,  wounds 
&c.:  and  secondly,  that  which  consists  in  a  general 
inflammation  of  tlie  blood,  arising  from  a  cold,  a  chill, 
or  sudden  check,  as  before  described.  When  the 
symptoms  come  on  quick  or  acutely,  the  most  prompt 
measures  must  be  taken  ;  a  mild  attack  may  be  ea- 
sily reduced  if  taken  in  time,  but  if  neglected,  it  as- 
sumes the  most  alarmingr  symptoms.  Evacuations 
and  diluting  drinks  are  the  proper  means  of  reducing 


15 

the  patient ;  but  before  purgatives  are  adniinislered, 
see  what  is  said  in  a  few  pages  onward,  respecting 
Costiveness,  for  it  not  unfrequentlyhappens.  that  this 
is  all  that  ails  the  animal,  except  his  being  worked 
too  hard  while  costiveness  is  upon  him. 

In  either  case  of  accelerated  pulse  from  those  cau- 
ses, bleeding  should  presently  be  had  recourse  to, 
and  let  the  quantity  taken  be  regulated  by  the  ibrce 
and  quickness  of  the  circulation  of  the  blood  :  for 
this  is  what  constitutes  the  fever.  If  the  pulsation  ad- 
vace  to  above  60,  two  quarts  should  be  drawn  ;  if 
above  70  in  a  minute,  three  quarts  of  blood  would 
not  be  too  much  to  take  away  at  once.  If  the  num- 
ber of  beats  be  much  more,  ascending  rapidly*  with 
the  rigid  feel  of  the  artery,  above  described,  four 
quarts  at  least  must  be  drawn,  and  that  from  a  large 
orifice.  Should  this  rigidity  or  hardness  of  the  artery 
continue,  notwithstanding  the  bleeding,  a  quantity 
that  shall  cause  t^intness  or  tottering  miaht  be  taken, 
or  rather  a  repetition  take  place  of  the  same  operation 
in  lesser  quantities,  until  that  hardness  of  the  artery 
is  no  longer  felt.  Some  skill,  derived  from  practice, 
is  required  in  watching  for  this  last  mentioned  symp- 
tom ;  but  whatever  is  to  be  done,  let  there  be  no  delay 
in  the  first  operation  ;  twelve  hours  should  intervene 
between  the  two  bleedings. 

Immediately  hereupon,  let  a  mild  purgative  be  ad- 
ministered, adapting  this  as  well  as  the  bleeding  to 
the  size  of  the  horse,  if  he  belong  to  either  extreme 
of  exceeding  large  or  very  small.  For  one  of  the 
moderate  coach  horse  kind,  give  the  following  ball: 

Aloes,  7  drachms  ;  Castile  Soap,  4  drachms  ;  Oil  of  Caraway  6 
drops;  with  mucilage  sufficient  to  form  the  ball,  for  one  dose. 

In  all  cases  of  fever  arising  from  accidents,  hard 
runs,  &c.,  which  may  be  considered  as  temporary  ex- 
citements only,  the  above  treatment  in  its  mildest 
form  will  be  sufficient  to  completely  reduce  symptoms. 
But  in  the  fever,  simply  so  called,  arising  from  in- 
flammation of  the  solids,  as  before  described,  a  repe- 
tition of  the  purgative  ball  mentioned  above  becomes 
necessary,  with  mashes,  a  quiet  stable,  and  attention. 
When  the  fever  arises  from  indigestion,  or  derange- 
jnent  of  the  stomach,  or  bowels,  its  immediate  cause 


16 

will  be  Ibund  in  hardened  focces,  in  addition  to  the  be- 
forementioned  remedies,  give  a  purgative  clyster  of  6 
or  7  quarts  of  water  gruel,  with  an  ounce  of  salt  to 
e-ach  quart.  Let  it  be  applied  assidiously,  and  some 
assistance  given  to  bring  away  the  first  hard  foeces 
that  appear  ;  the  remainder  of  the  dung  will  come 
na.urally.     See  further  under  the  head  of  costiveness. 

Caster  Oil,  a  pint  or  more,  will  open  the  canal  par- 
tially only  ;  but  if  the  bowels  yield  not  to  the  purgative 
balls,  other  means  must  be  resorted  to,  tho'  I  should 
never  think  of  having  recourse  to  oil  in  the  first  in- 
stances. Although  the  constipation  or  obstruction  be 
obstinate,  yet  very  strong  diuretic  purgatives  are  inel- 
igible, as  they  might  kill  the  animal,  or  at  least  injure 
llie  intestines  materially. 

The  dung  and  urine  are  always  good  indications  of 
the  state  of  the  body  ;  if  the  former  fail,  lever  is  the 
cause  ;  it  subtracts  also  from  the  quantity  of  the  urine, 
and  if  he  stale  small  qunnties  at  short  intervals,  some 
internal  inflammation  has  taken  place.  In  fever,  the 
tongue  and  mouth  become  drier  than  ordinary  ;  and 
if  any  saliva  be  secreted,  it  is  tough  and  ropy.  These 
symptoms  as  well  as  the  pulse  are  to  be  watched  atten- 
tively; &  after  you  have  succeeded  in  thus  repelling  the 
attack  of  the  fever,  and  the  heat  and  acceleration 
of  the  pulse  properly  reduced,  the  cure  is  but  half  com- 
pleted. The  tone  of  the  patient's  stomach  and  the 
whole  digestive  process  require  restoration,  and  this 
with  a  careful  hand,  that  the  bowels  be  not  again  over- 
loaded ;  because  a  second  attack  would  be  more  diffi- 
cult than  the  first;  for  the  bowels  have  partly  lost 
their  function  of  expelling  their  contents,  through  the 
violence  of  the  disease,  if  not  by  the  harsh  action  of 
the  remedies  employed.  Hardy  working  horses,  of 
course,  recover  their  appetite  qs  soon  as  the  fever 
abates;  and  no  further  care  is  required  for  such,  than 
an  occasionnl  laxative  or  purgative,  according  to  the 
amount  of  obstruction.  The  ball  prescribed  before 
may  be  given  at  intervals  with  fever  powders;  and 
subsequently,  the  fever  drink  prescribed  below  for  all 
other  descriptions  of  the  horse  recovering  from  fever. 
This  is  a  good  cool  stomachic,  and  restores  the  appe- 
tite, at  the  same  time  that  the  disposition  to  the  return 


17 

0f  fever  is  kept  down ;  if  Ibund  of  marked  service^ 
the  doses  may  be  repeated  to  three  or  four  times  a  day 
for  a  week. 

Fever  Powders,  No.  1. 
I'owclor  nitre,  1  ounce;  emetic  tartai*,  2  drachms. 
IMix,  for  one  close. 

No.  2. — Powdei-ed  nitre,  6  drachms  ;  cam]ihor,  2  drachms  ;  calx 
of  antimony,   11-2  drachm.     Mix. 
Give  these  powders  in  his  food. 

Fever  Drink. 

Cream  of  tartar,  1  ounce;  turmeric,  1  ounce;  diapente,  1  ounce. 
Mix  in  powder  and  add  to  a  pint  of  warm  gniel.  To  be  given  once 
or  twice  a  day. 

LOW  FEVER. 

Cause. — Of  low  fever,  are  nearly  the  same  as  in- 
flammatory fever.  The  difference  between  the  two 
arises  from  the  condition  of  the  horse  at  the  time  of 
the  attack.  As  inflammatory  fever  is  more  preva- 
lent in  the  spring  and  summer,  owing  to  the  high  con- 
dition of  most  horses  when  first  attacked,  so  does  low 
fever,  or  irritation  of  the  animal  system  of  a  horse 
in  low  condition,  mostly  prevail  in  autumn  and  win- 
ter. We  ascribe  the  latter  in  a  great  measure  to  the 
debility  or  weakness  brought  on  by  the  shedding  his 
coat,  when  the  autumnal  slorms  set  in.  Being  then 
much  exhausted  by  the  heat  of  the  summer,  he  sweats 
profusely  on  the  least  exercise  ;  then  his  coat  becomes 
dry  and  husky  when  at  rest,  and  his  skin  sticks  tight 
to  his  ribs,  slightly  resembling  hidebound.  The  an- 
imal having  lost  much  of  his  natural  covering,  and 
no  care  being  taken  to  palliate  this  loss,  he  is  more 
liable  to  catch  cold  if  exposed  and  still  pushed  in  his 
work.  If  not  relieved  from  its  severity,  coach  horses 
in  particular  become  unserviceable  in  great  numbers  ; 
and  too  often  it  happens,  that  such  knocked-up  hor- 
ses are  considered  done  over,  and  the  owner  sells  off; 
whereas  experience  has  shown  that  a  nourishing  re- 
gimen would  restore  them  to  vigor.  The  serous  or 
water  part  of  the  blood  having  been  drained  cfl'  by 
the  violent  perspiration  they  were  exposed  to  by  their 
sum.mer  work,  the  muscular  fibres  become  too  rigid, 
and  the  blood  too  thick  ior  circulation  in  the  finer  ves- 
sels ;  it  therefore  remains  rioting  in  the  larger  ones, 
di'jtonding  their  capacity  and  increasing  irritation. — 


18 

« 

Working  horses  arc  then  usually  deprived  of  their 
corn,  because  they  cannot  work  ;  this  onl}'-  adds  to 
the  irritation  of  the  viscular  system  and  solids,  which 
constitutes  the  low  fever. 

Syinploms.  —The  pulse  in  low  fever  never  mounts 
high  during  an  entire  minute,  but  beats  quick  a  few 
strokes,  and  then  slow,  and  so  slow  as  to  be  scarcely 
perceptible  ;  this  denotes,  that  although  fever  be  pre- 
sent, there  is  not  strength  enough  to  bring  it  to  a  crisis. 
The  ariery  feels  rigid  at  intervals  only,  and  again  be- 
comes supple,  if  not  elastic,  to  the  touch  ;  his  flanks 
arc  agitated  more  than  usual,  and  his  hind  quarters 
and  ears  become  cool  if  not  cold.  As  in  high  fever, 
his  eyes  are  dull  and  heavy,  and  water  will  occasion- 
ally fall  from  them.  Thougjh  in  the  former  species 
of  fever  he  evince  considerable  pain,  in  this  no  such 
symptom  appears,  but  despondency  assumes  its  place. 

Memedy. — Unless  his  body  be  already  too  open, 
give  him  a  laxitive  draught,  made  of  two  drachms 
each  of  aloes  and  carbonate  of  potash,  and  mint  wa- 
ter four  ounces,  and  as  he  will  stdl  feed,  diuretic  pow- 
ders may  be  mixed  occasionally  with  his  food,  con- 
sisting of  nitre  and  rosin,  of  each  about  one  ounce. 
Should  his  urine  appear  turpid,  or  come  off  with  dif- 
ficulty, in  small  quantities,  the  diuretic  ball  is  indis- 
pensible,  which  js  made  of  tnrpentine  and  soap,  of 
each  four  drachms,  with  mucilage  to  form  a  ball  : 
and  these  vvith  good  gruel  and  care,  accompanied  by 
tonics,  will  restore  to  the  animal  a  comparitive  pro- 
portion of  health.  Time  and  moderate  usage  will  do 
the  remainder,  Receips  for  tonics  given  under  ano- 
ther head,  in  a  succeeding  page. 

J.  Clark,  of  edinburgh,  says,  "  The  end  of  autumn 
proves  very  severe  to  horses  whose  flesh  and  strength 
are  exhausted  by  hard  labor.  In  this  low  and  spirit- 
less stale,  many  are  carried  off  that  good  nursing  and 
feeding  with  rich  boiled  food  might  have  preserved. 
Carrots  and  potatoes  recover  some  horses  surprising- 
ly ;  it  renews  their  flesh  and  the  fluids  generally* 
and  promotes  secretion  ;  it  operates  upon  them  nearly 
m  the  same  way  as  spring  grass,  and  the  effects  are 
presently  visible  on  their  coats."  Many  stablemen 
give  oatmeal  boiled  and  made  into  stiff  gruel,  and  is 


19 


found  to  be  a  restorative,  and  a  smaller  quantity  ol 
oats  then  sufficeth.  A  gradual  return  to  hard  food 
does  all  for  the  horse  that  can  be  desired.  Not  unfre- 
quer.tly  a  diuretic  is  all  the  animal  needs,  which  must 
be  determined  by  the  state  of  the  pulse  after  the  med- 
icine has  operated. 


COSTIVENESS. 

Symptoms.— 'When  constipation  or  stoppage  attends 
general  fever,  it  is  then  a  corresponding  system  of 
that  disorder,  and  the  reader  is  referred  to  inflamma- 
tory fever,  on  the  l3th  and  14th  pages.  But  when 
the  pulse  is  not  so  high  as  to  pronounce  it  fever,  and 
the  dung  is  asceitained  to  be  hard,  there  is  no  difficul- 
ty in  treating  it  as  simple  costiv^eness.  It  may  be  dis- 
tingushed  from  cholic  and  from  inflammation  of  the 
intestines,  by  the  quiet  stale  of  the  animal  when  he  is 
down,  which  is  not  the  case  with  either  of  those  dis- 
orders, in  which  pain  of  the  bowels  is  most  evident  ; 
whereas  these  do  not  appear  to  suffer  from  the  cos- 
tiveness,  though  the  brain  and  the  whole  of  the  ner- 
vous system,  become  more  or  less  aflected  from  sym- 
pathy with  the  stomach,  and  ultimately  producing  de- 
lirium and  frenzy.  His  eyes  ofler  the  earliest  symp- 
toms, by  their  dullness,  contraction  and  expansion, 
succeeded  by  sleepiness;  he  refuses  food,  he  will  not 
work,  ihe  mouth  becomes  hot  and  dry,  the  ears  cold, 
and  the  breathing  difficult  or  nearly  imperceptible. 
The  pulsation  usually  mcreases,  if  he  be  in  tolerable 
condition.  At  length  he  tumbles  down,  regardless  of 
the  situation,  and  the  action  of  the  head  shows  how 
greatly  it  is  aflected,  until  stupor  and  death  ensue,  if 
he  be  net  relieved. 

Remedy. — Purgatives  are  not  always  the  most  eligi- 
ble medicines,  even  in  the  earliest  stages  of  the  disor- 
der; for,  if  the  constipation  or  stoppage  has  lasted  a 
considerable  time,  great  injury  would  be  dor^e  to  the 
intestines,  by  forcing  a  passage.  As  soon  as  it  is  as- 
certained that  the  animal  has  not  dunged  in  several 
days — when  he  seems  uneasy,  a  fulness  is  perceived 
towards  the  flank,  the  fundament,  &c.,  and  unusual 
dryness  and  lightness  is  discovered  at  this  latter  part, 

15 


20 

let  the  operator  strip  his  arm  bare^  and  having  annoinf* 
ed  it  with  soft  soap  or  lard,  he  will  bring  his  fingers 
to  a  point,  and  gently  introduce  the  hand  and  wrist, 
and  draw  forth  a  portion  of  the  hard  lumps  of 
dung.  This  may  be  repeated  four  or  five  times,  or 
more.  He  will  soon  give  evident  signs  of  rehef. 
"When  he  gets  up,  plain  water  gruel  as  warm  as  per- 
sons might  take,  may  be  administered  in  quantity  of 
two  or  three  quarts,  if  he  will  take  so  much  ,•  but  if 
the  animal  be  exhausted,  and  does  not  get  up  without 
difficulty,  or  without  help,  one  half  the  drench  may  be 
made  of  ale.  Although  he  may  seem  recovered,  and 
may  produce  a  stool,  his  bowels  must  next  be  emptied. 
In  order  to  this,  give  a 

Laxative  Draft  or  Drench — Castor  Oil,  half  pint, 
— aloes,  two  drachma — prepared  kali,  two  drachms, 
water  gruel,  one  pint. 

Repeat  this  next  day,  leaving  out  the  oil,  and  doub- 
ling the  quantity  of  aloes  ;  or,  after  an  interval,  give 
the  purgative  ball  inserted  in  page  14^ 


Inflammatory  Diseases  of  every  sort,  leave Jjehind 
them  a  good  share  of  weakness,  which  full  feeding 
will  not  always  amend.  We  must  therefore  restore 
the  tone  of  tlie  digestive  powers  by  the  aid  of  medicine, 
that  may  be  repeated  aLrcording  to  circumstances,  and 
the  return  of  strength,  as  follows  : 

TONIC  BALL,  NO.  1, — Jesuit's  bark,  7  drachms, 
Prepared  kali,  2  drachms.     Get  it  of  di-uggists, 
Mucilage  enough  to  form  a  ball. 

In  ordinary  cases,  one  of  these  per  day,  for  a  week, 
will  be  found  to  have  done  as  much  for  the  animal  as 
could  be  desired.  Bu";  should  the  coat  still  appear 
rough  and  staring,  give  the  following: 

TONIC  BALL,  NO.  2.— Salt  of  steel,  or  sulphate  of  iron, 
Columbo  Root,  and  bark,  3  drachms  each.     IMucilage  for  ball. 

Great  precaution  must  be  used  to  prevent  a  relapse, 
which  would  render  the  patient's  case  more  dangerous 
than  at  first.  Soft  boiled  oats,  fine  hay,  clover,  a  few 
boiled  carrots  or  turnips,  or  potatoes,  grass  cut  from 
sloping  ground,  may  succeed  each  other  in  small  par- 
cels, until  he  gradually    gains  strength  enough  to  re« 


21 

ram  to  oats  and  hay  as  usnal.  It"  the  heat  return  at 
intervals,  as  usually  happens  towards  nightfail,  give 
him  a  Cooling  Decoction  cf 

Linseed,  2  quarts,  coarse  sugar,  3  ounces, 
Water,  boiling  hot,  6  quarts,  poured  on  the  seed. 

Let  it. simmer  three  or  four  hours,  and  pour  off  the 
liquor  for  use  when  nearly  cold.  The  linseed  or  flax- 
seed will  bear  another  water,  less  in  quantity  ;  but 
some  horses  will  take  the  seeds  also,  which  may  be 
permitted.  Give  the  whole  in  the  course  of  the  day, 
at  two  or  three  intervals,  and  repeat  the  same  decoc- 
tion once  or  twice  more. 


INFLAiMMATION  OF  THE  LUNGS. 

The  symptoms  of  imflamed  lungs  rapidly  succeed 
each  other — shivering,  difficulty  of  breathing,  loss  of 
appetite  and  sluggishness,  with  drooping  of  the  head, 
become  visible  in  quick  succession.  In  a  few  hours, 
if  the  animal  is  in  good  keeping ;  longer,  if  out  of 
condition,  those  symptoms  increase,  with  unusually 
quick  action  of  the  flanks,  accompanied  by  hot  mouth 
and  hectic  cough.  Its  ears  and  legs  become  cold,  and 
lie  cares  not  to  lie  down,  or  being  down,  he  rises  lan- 
guidly, as  if  mourning  his  fate.  Sometimes  the  pro- 
gress of  this  monstrous  disease  is  accelerated  by  his 
previous  habits,  if  predisposed  to  inflammation. 

The  cure  sometimes  is  mainly  effected  by  the  effu- 
sion of  water  in  the  chest,  which  frequently  takes 
place  upon  bleeding  the  patient  ;  the  practitioner  has 
little  more  to  do  than  to  place  himself  in  the  situation 
of  the  handmaid  of  nature,  and  all  will  go  en  well  to 
perfect  restoration.  We  may  know  when  this  effu- 
sion has  taken  place,  by  an  evident  remis.sion  of  the 
desponding  symptoms  ;  his  flanks  cease  to  heave  so 
much  as  hitherto,  and  the  animal  looks  more  cheer- 
fully, he  tries  to  eat  a  bit,  the  cough  almost  ceases, 
and  the  warmth  of  the  ears  returns,  all  in  a  partial 
degree  ;  but  the  roughness  of  the  coat,  which  always 
accompanies  inflammation,  does  not  so  soon  return  to 
it«  original  suppleness,  but  assumes  the  first  symptoms 
of  hide-bound.     Minor  helps  are  only  necessary. 

Dat   if  relief  be  not  given  in  that  manner,  the  ani- 


22 

mal  must  be  bled  and  physiced  until  the  pulse  is  redu- 
ced to  its  natural  state,  in  the  same  manner  as  direct- 
ed on  the  13th  and  14th  pages,  for  inflammatory  fe- 
ver, using  the  purgative  ball.  In  every  case  of  bleed- 
ing, a  laxative  should  lollovv,  and  clysters  or  water- 
gruel  be  administed  in  aid  of  both,  at  intervals  of  three 
or  four  hours.  Neglect  not  tolerably  hot  clothing  ; 
and  by  good  hand  rubbing,  beginning  gently,  for  it 
is  sore,  at  the  neck  and  chest,  and  so  proceed  towards 
the  hind  quarters,  endeavor  to  obtain  external  heat,  if 
not  perspiration.  When  these  appear,  it  is  a  sign  that 
effusion  has  taken  place,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree, 
according  to  the  quantity  perspiration.  This  may  be 
assisted  in  some  degree,  after  the  laxative  and  cl\  ser 
have  well  subsided,  by  administering  a  sweating  ball. 

SWEATING  BALL. — Take  of  Tartar  emetic  and  assafcedida, 
of  each  one  drach ;  liquorice  powder  and  syrup  enough  to  form  a 
ball, 

Repeat  the  same  in  twelve  hours,  unless  much  per- 
spiration has  supervened  in  the  mean  time,  when  there 
will  be  no  necessity  for  a  repetition.  Thin  water-gru- 
el will  assist  the  expected  perspiration  ;  or  if  he  be 
fleshy,  a  bran  mash  may  supply  its  place;  either  must 
be  given  blood  warm. 

The  heat  of  the  lungs,  which  is  the  immediate  cause 
of  the  disorder,  require  pure  healthy  air,  unmixed 
with  noxious  effluvia,  or  confined  air.  He  should  be 
in  a  clean  warm  stable,  and  not  exposed  to  draught 
and  currants  of  air  from  windows  or  doors  while  yet 
sweating  with  the  diaphoretic  just  recommended.  In 
short,  your  own  judgment  will  leach  you  that  care 
must  be  taken  to  prevent  taking  cold,  which  can  only 
be  done  by  a  uniform  even  circulation  of  pure  air,  in 
a  comfortable  stable. 

The  hand  rubbing  must  be  continued,  particularly 
of  the  legs,  which  in  the  worst  period  of  the  disease 
are  uncommonly  fine,  but  should  it  last  him  some 
time,  they  swell,  and  in  either  case  prove  they  are 
the  barometer  of  the  disorder,  as  well  as  the  necessi- 
ty of  rubbing  thera.  Should  the  pulsation  increase 
and  no  favorable  symptoms  appear,  bleed  him  until  he 
is  reduced  to  a  tottering  state  ;  but  this  necessity  will 


as 

occur  but  seldom,  as  ibc  above  treatment  and  faithful 
rubbing,  will  in  most  cases  remove  the  disorder. 

Blistering  and  rowelling  for  this  disease,  in  addi- 
tion to  bleeding,  are  recommended  by  some  farriers  ; 
but  hand  rubbing  answers  as  well,  if  it  be  not  too  la- 
zily performed  ;  in  which  case,  blistering  will  become 
necessary  to  prevent  suppuration  within.  This  is  as- 
certained by  the  appearance  of  abscess  or  soft  tumor 
under  the  skin,  which  seems  to  invite  the  adoption  of 
artificial  means  to  prevent  suppuration.  The  follow- 
ing blister  may  then  be  put  extensively  over  each  side 
of  the  chest,  which  is  preferable  to  rowelling: 

BLISTERING  OINTMENT.— rowdered  Cantharidcs,  Five 
Drachms, — Hog's  Lard,  4  ounces — Oil  Turpentine,  1  ounce.  Mix. 


A  COLD  OR  CATARRH. 
The  horse   is  subject  to  colds  or  catarrh  at  all  sea- 
sons ;  but  most   frequently  when  they  are  shedding 
their  coats  in  the  spring  and  autumn,  a  process  of  na- 
ture attended  with  more  or  less  debility  and  general 
weakness.     Hence    it   is  that  the  animal  sweats  pro- 
fusely upon  the  least  exertion;  and  being  in  this  state 
suffered  to  stand,  (harnessed  perhaps,)  in  the  open  air 
and  storm-",  to  cool,  the  sweating  is  too  suddenly  stop- 
ped, and  he  gets  a  cold  at  least ;  which  invariably  at'- 
iect  him  most  in  his  weaker  parts,   or  parts  that  have 
been  diseased  before,  and  is  more  dangerous  and  dis- 
tressing in  its  consequences  as  it  approaches  the  vital 
parts,  the  lungs.     A  common  cold  differs  from  the  in- 
flammation of   the  lungs  before  described,   only  in  as 
much  as  it  has  not  yet  centered  there  ;  but  it  is  con- 
fined mostly  to  the  head,  windpipe,  throat  and  moulh. 
If  the   cold  extend  no  further  than  a  check  upon  the 
mucous  secretion  of  the  membrane  that  lines  the  nose, 
a  purulent  discharge  is  first  observed  in  the  morning, 
his  eyes  become   dull  and  a  little  bleared,  and  in  24 
hours  a  short  cough  denote  that  imflammation  is  creep- 
ing onwards,  and  has  reached  the  epiglottis,  which  is 
the  point  of  conjunction  between  the  throai  and  mouth. 
In  proportion  as  the  attack  may  be  more   severe,  tha 
symptonns  increase,  as  does  the  danger.     Passing  the 
hand  down  over  the  windpipe,  at  the  epiglottis,  the  an- 
12 


24 

imal  will  shrink  if  it  be  sore  within,  and  he  will  soon 
evince  difficulty  of  swallowing,  and  refuse  his  food; 
inflammation  has  begun. 

Remedy. — When  the   glands  swell,  and  there  is  no 
doubt  it  is  from  a  cold,  apply  camphorated  spirits  of 
wine  ;   but  if  the  inflammation  be  of  to  great  degree, 
bran  |)ouhice  may  be  applied  r.o  advantage.     If  those 
enlarged  glands  already  contain  matter,  the  tendency 
to  irritation  will  thus  be  reduced  ;  if  merely  sordid  tu- 
mors, either  application  v/ill  effect  relief,  so  that  he 
may  take  his  medicines  with  less  difficulty.  By  steam- 
ing the  head  for  an  hour,  or  applying  hot  flannels  that 
have  been  steeped  in  boiling  water,  it  will  be  tound  ser- 
viceable, taking  care  to  dry-rub  the  coat  immediately 
after,   which  also  assists  to  reduce  the  swelling.     If 
this  symptom  does  :jot  give  way  before  those   applica- 
tions, and  the  throat  is  ascertained  to  be  sore,   blister- 
ing may  be  resorted  to,  taking  care  to  extend  the  oint- 
ment directed  in  page  22,  over  the  whole  of  ;he  parts 
aifecied.   As  in  all  other  inflammatory  diseases,  bleed- 
ing to   an  amount  proportioned  to  the  violence  of  the 
attack  and  condition  of  the  horse,    [see  what  is   said 
on  that  subject,  page  14,  and  about   ''bleedidg  for  fe- 
vers,''] with  purgatives  an  1  clysters,  should  accompa- 
ny the  above  external  applications,  [recipes  for  which 
are  given  in  the  preceding  p^ges,] — thesa,  with  bran 
mashes,    and  boiled  oats,  and  the   u:ver  powders  pre- 
scribed in  page   16,   will  reduce  the  symptoms.     The 
same  precautions  given  before  for  the  lung  and  other 
complaints,  must  be    taken    to    prevent    a  relapse,  to 
which    which   for  a  time  he  is    daily  liable.     He  will 
improve  gradually. 

THE  COUGH 

Which  accompanies  this  disorder  will  freqently  re- 
main after  the  o'her  symptoms  have  abated  ;  in  some 
cases  a  cough  is  the  only  symptom  of  catarrhal  in- 
flammation that  the  animal  suflers  under,  and  in  both 
we  should  apply  ourselves  to  reduce  the  inflammation 
of  windpipe,  &c.  which  occasions  the  cough  ;  for  if 
not  cured  at  once,  it  baffles  all  our  efforts  for  a  long 
while,  and  ultimately  becomes  what  is  denominated  a 
Chronic  Cough.     Therefore  should  our  attention  io 


26 

the  first  attack  be  unremitted,  and  the  remedies  applied 
in  tur  nto  each  variation  of  the  symptoms.  If  these 
are  accompanied  by  the  swe'.lings  and  soreness  of  the 
throat  and  ghinds,  spoken  of  in  the  preceding  page, 
the  cough  will  generally  cease  when  those  symptoms 
are  removed  by  the  treatment  there  di reeled  ;  but  if 
not,  the  cough  musi  be  considered  as  a  simple  disease. 
We  can  but  imperfectly  distinguish  between  some  ca- 
ses of  ill-cured  catarrh,  or  ihe  chronic  cough,  and  the 
incipient  cough,  or  a  I'lesh  cold,  the  practitioner  would 
do  well,  in  ca-.es  of  doubt,  when  he  finds  one  remedy 
to  fail  to  try  others. 

When  animals  appear  to  be  unable  to  raise  the 
phleghm,  bleeding  will  (^tiect  this  ;  but,  when  bleeding 
is  n(jt  otherwise  necessary,  the  drenches  No.  1  and  2, 
below,  will  afibrd  relief.  In  order  to  enable  the  lungs 
to  dischargee  more  copiously,  give  No.  1  : 

EXPECTORAL  BALLS— No.  1.— Sulphur,  half  an  ounce;     . 
A3afa?tida,  1  ounce;  Liquorice  powder,  1  ounce; 
Venice  Turpentine,  1  ounce. 

Mix  for  four  doses,  and  give  one  on  each  of  four 
succeeding  nights.  See  his  exercise  be  moderate,  and 
allow  him  a  cooling  regimen,  boiled  oats,  bran  mash- 
es, &c.      And  give  the  following  once  or  twice  a  day: 

EXPECEORAL  BALL— No.  2.— Powdered  Squills,  2  drachms. 

Gum  Ammoniacum,  and  powdered  epecac,  each  4  drachms  ; 

Opium,  4  drachms ;  ginger  and  alspice,  each  1  ounce  ; 

Balsam  of  Sulphur,  4  ounces       Mix  for  six  balls,  with  Castile 
soap,  beaten  up  with  mucilage,  molasses  or  syrup. 

If  the  regimen  cannot  be  attended  to  properly,  bis 
bowels  must  be  kept  open  by  mid  laxatives  ;  or  if  cos- 
tiveness  prevailed  when  the  cough  first  came  on,  sim- 
ply opening  the  bowels  will  then  procure  ease,  if  it  do 
not  effect  a  cure.  This  may  be  attained  by  giving,  in 
three  or  four  days,  the  following: 

LAXATIVE  BALL.— Aloes  and  Epecac,  1  1.2  drachms  each. 
Mix  with  liq^uorice  powders  and  mucilage,  for  one  dose. 

These  medicines,  and  every  modification  of  them, 
it  is  desirable  should  be  tried  in  succession,  as  ihe  seat 
of  the  disorder  is  so  very  various  and  uncertain,  that 
the  partial  good  that  one  may  effect,  will  frequently 
be  aided  by  another.  To  this  end,  the  following  ball 
and  drenches  have  been  prescribed  and  used  with  suC" 
cess: 


26 

DIURETIC  BALL. — Yfllow  Rosin,  2  ounces  ;  turpeniinp,  4 
ounces;  soap,  3  ounces;  salad  oil,  1  ounce;  oil  ot"  anisseed,  halt" an 
ounce  ;  powdered  g^inger,  2  ounces. 

Rub  the  uvo  last  ingredients  together  in  a  mortar 
with  a  little  linseed  [)owder.  Melt  the  first  three  in- 
gredients over  a  slow  fire,  and  then  mix  in  the  pow- 
ders. Divide  the  mass  into  eight  balls,  and  give  one 
a  day  until  the  water  is  affected. 

DRENCH — No.  1. — Vinegar,  8  ounces;  squills,  2  ounces  ;  tra- 
de, 6  ounces.  Bruise  the  squills  and  pour  on  the  vinegar  hot ; 
simmer  these  near  the  fire  two  or  three  hours,  then  strain  off"  and 
add  the  molasses.  Divide  into  three  or  four  parts,  and  give  a  por- 
tion two  or  three  times  in  the  course  of  the  day. 

DRENCH — No,  2. — Bruised  Garlic,  4  ounces.  Vinegar,  12  nz. 
Pour  on  the  Vinegar  boiling  hot ;  let  it  simmer  four  or  five  hours, 
strain  it  oif  and  add  .5  ounces  Honey.  Divide  into  three  or  four 
parts,  and  give  in  the  course  of  the  day  at  intervals. 

The  diet  and  regimen  must  be  all  the  while  faithful- 
ly attended  to,  and  care  taken  to  avoid  fresh  cold.  He 
must  not  be  pushed  in  his  work,  while  the  disorder  is 
virulent,  and  the  above  course  of  treatment  will  prove 
efficacious. 

CHRONIC  COUGH. 

This  is  also  the  remains  of  an  ill -cured  cold,  seated 
in  the  windpipe  or  its  branches,  and  is  often  very  in- 
veterate. 

Remedy. — As  in  the  case  of  broken  wind  of  every 
other  kind,  the  horse  eats  every  substance  he  can 
come  near,  chronic  cough  being  sometimes  produced 
by  over  feeding,  as  well  as  always  producing  that 
symptom.  Theref()re,  when  a  horse  has  a  cough, 
occasionally,  for  two  or  three; days,  his  appetite  being 
good,  we  had  best  conclude  he  is  too  full  and  must  be 
emptied  by  an  alterative  or  purgative,  according  to 
the  emergency  of  the  case  ;  if  he  be  of  gross  habit, 
or  has  failed  in  the  proper  evacuations  ;  if  his  heels 
swell  of  a  morning,  or  his  coat  stare  like  hide-bound, 
the  cough  will  vanish  before  the  following  Purgative 
Ball: 

Barbadoes  aloes,  8  drachms  ;  Castile  soap,  2  drachms  ;  Ginger, 
1  drachm.     With  mucilage  sufficient  to  form  a  ball. 

Failing  to  stale  properly,  the  patient's  heels  swell, 
in  addition  to  the  cough,  and  both  may  be  got  rid  of 
by  one  or  two  of  the  above,     If  the  evacuation  by  the 


27 

skin  be  at  fault,  through  cold  or  otherwise,  accompa- 
nied by  cough,  the  perspiration  will  be  restored,  and 
the  cough  depart,  by  giving  one  or  two  grains  emetic 
tartar,  twice  a  day  in  liquorice  powder,  until  its  effects 
are  perceptible  on  the  skin,  and  the  cough  then  di- 
minishes. Form  it  into  a  ball,  with  mucilage  ;  and 
when  much  heat  of  body  is  perceptible,  though  the 
pulse  do  not  indicate  inflammatory  lever,  add  to  the 
ball  four  or  five  drachms  of  nitre. 

If  the  bad  habit  of  body  above  spoken  of  do  not 
appear,  then  the  purgalive  should  be  of  a  milder  na- 
ture, and  given  at  the  same  interval — the  following 

MILD  PURGATIVE.— Aloes,  4  or  5  drachms;  Castile  soap,  3 
drachms;  Calomel,  1  drachm;  Ginger,  2  drachms  ;  Oil  of  Carro- 
way,  10  drops.     Mucilage  enough  for  a  ball,  for  one  dose. 

Some  horses  are  more  delicate  than  others,  and  be- 
ing then  irritable  about  the  throat  and  chest,  are  liable 
to  contract  a  periodical  cough,  which  becomes  chronic 
without  due  care.  Such  animtils  should  be  exposed 
as  little  as  possible  to  any  violent  weather,  or  sudden 
change  of  the  temperature.  Neither  should  such  ten- 
der animals,  under  circumstances  of  chronic  couoh, 
which  generally  affects  their  coats  also,  about  the 
chest  in  particular,  be  treated  with  a  purgative  ball, 
even  of  the  mildest  form,  but  with  alteratives. 

ALTERATIVE  BALL.— Aloes  and  hard  soap,  12  drachms 
each;  emetic  tartar,  half  a  drachm  ;  Ginger,  half  an  ounce  ;  Oil  of 
Carraway,  1  drachm ;  with  mucilage  enough  to  form  the  ball  into 
six  doses. 

Give  one  every  morning,  until  a  loose  stool  is  pro- 
duced, which  may  haj)pen  on  the  third  or  fourth  mor- 
ning, as  the  animal  may  be  conditioned.  The  animal 
should  not  be  turned  out  of  a  sudden,  as  such  an  one 
would  on  account  of  its  delicacy,  more  likely  acquire 
a  hectic  cough,  by  neglect. 

Frequently  it  is  that  a  horse  has  a  constitutional 
couch,  or  one  which  comes  on  with  high  feeding,  or 
a  disposition  to  a  slate  in  which  the  vessels  contain 
more  humors  than  is  agreeable  to  a  natural  state  of 
health,  (called  plethora,)  will  produce  the  same  cough, 
which  is  an  effort  of  nature  to  relieve  itself.  In  this 
case,  the  administering  of  nitre  and  rosin  will  thin  the 
blood,  and  give  immediate  relief,  as  follows  ; 


2S 

I)Rr.NCH. — Nitre  and  yellow  resin,  half  an  ounce  each,  and  2d 
droj>3  ul"  aniseed.  The  oil  should  be  Hist  well  mixed  with  the  resin > 
and  the  whole  given  in  a  quart  of  water  gruel. 

Recurrence  of  the  same  affection  may  be  prevented 

in  some  measure,  by  giving  the  same  in  another  way, 

namely,  as  a  cough  powder,  substituting  anisseed,  1 

ounce,  for  the  oil,  and  pounding  the  whole  together, 

and  mixing  with  the  food. 

INFLAMMATIOx^    OF    THE  STOIVIACH  AND 

INTESTINES. 
This  is  occasioned  by  colds,  which  sometimes  take 
a  serious  hold  there  in  consequence  of  some  previous 
injury  or  v  eakness.  When  one  of  these  organs  is 
disordered,  the  other  participates  in  the  effect.  Cholic 
of  long  continuance,  if  the  animal  is  worked  while 
this  is  on  him,  is  another  prolific  source  of  inflamma- 
tion of  the  intestines,  as  is  the  drinking  of  cold  water 
copiously,  while  in  a  state  of  perspiration,  or  after  a 
trying  journey,  which  is  always  attended  with  spas- 
modic cholic  of  the  stomach  and  bowels,  at  first,  and 
of  inflammation  sooner  or  later,  according  to  the  tem- 
perature of  the  individual.  The  necessity  of  getting 
rid  of  the  lesser  attack  before  it  acquires  a  permanent 
and  dangerous  aspect  must  be  obvious  ;  and  as  the 
treatment  proper  for  either,  is  at  total  variance  with 
the  other,  the  one  requiring  warmth  and  stimulation, 
the  other  a  cooling  and  reducing  treatment,  our  first 
care  must  be  to  ascertain  the  exact  nature  of  the  at- 
tack ;  for  a  mistake  in  this  respect  would  prove  fatal. 
Therefore,  I  have  deemed  it  necessary  to  give  a  table 
of  the  symptoms  of  each  : 

SYMPTOMS. 

A  Table  distinguishing  between  the  Colic  or  Gripes,  and  Infiam' 
mation  of  the  Boiocls,  by  the  symptoms  that  mark  each  case. 


S pasmodic  or  Flatulent  Cholic. 

1.  Pulse  natural,  though  some- 
times a  little  lower. 

2.  The  horse  lies  down,  and 
rolls  upon  his  back. 

3.  The  legs  and  ears  generally 
warm. 

4.  Attacks  suddenly,  is  never 
preceded,  and  seldom  accompa- 
nied by  any  symptoms  of  fever. 

5.  There  are  frequently  ghorl 
intermiiisiuns. 


Inflammation  of  the  Bowels. 

1.  The  pulse  very  quick  and 
small. 

2.  He  lies  down  and  suddenly 
rises  up  again,  seldom  I'olling  up- 
on his  back. 

3.  His  legs  and  ears  generally 
cold. 

4.  In  general,  attacks  gradual- 
ly, is  preceded  by,  and  always 
attended  with  symptoms  of  fever,- 

5.  No  intcnnissions  can  be  ob- 
sened. 


29 

Remedy  for  Inflammation  oj  the  Bowels. — From  the 
rapid  progress  made  by  this  disorder,  when  left  to  it- 
self, and  its  usually  disastrous  termination,  the  duty 
of  attending  to  the  pulse,  will  be  apparent.  He  will 
by  this  means  be  apprised  of  the  earliest  approach  of 
the  disease,  and  thus  meet  it  in  its  mildest  form;  he 
will  compare  this  certain  indication  of  heat — whether 
fever  of  the  whole  system,  or  inflammation  of  any 
particular  part,  with  the  state  of  the  urine,  which  will 
then  be  high  colored,  and  the  dunging  defective.  The 
TfCtum  will  be  dry,  hard,  and  hot  ;  the  belly,  on  pas- 
sing the  hand  over  it  towards  the  sheath  will  have  the 
same  feeling;  the  animal  will  shrink  from  the  touch, 
his  eyes  appear  languid,  or  partly  shut;  as  the  disor- 
der proceeds  they  assume  unusual  redness,  or  what 
has  been  termed  bloodshot.  Up  to  this  stage  of  the 
disorder,  the  first  remedy  will  be  clystering  and  bleed- 
ing freely,  if  he  be  not  very  aged  or  of  spare  habit, 
immediately  after  giving  the  following 

LAXATIVE  DRENCH.— Powdered  aloes,  2  drachms  ;  sub- 
carbonate  of  potas,  2  di-achms  ;  water  giTiel,  1  pint;  Castor  oil, 
half  a  pint.  Slix.  If  delay  is  to  be  apprehended  in  procuring^  the 
above  drench,  give  castor  oil,  1  pint,  or  in  default  hereof,  salad  oil, 
2  pints,  whilst  the  drench  is  preparing. 

In  ordinary  cases,  a  voluntary  stool  will  be  produ- 
ced at  or  soon  afler  bleeding,  occasioned  by  relaxation 
of  the  tenesmus  that  constitutes  the  disease.  If  the 
dung  comes  forth  in  small  quantity  and  small  hard 
knobs,  the  anus  must  be  cleared  by  the  hand,  as  di- 
rected in  a  preceding  p'^ge,  under  head  of  *'  Costive- 
ness."  Let  a  warm  clyster  be  thrown  up  that  is  co- 
pious enough  to  fill  the  emptied  gut,  at  the  least. 

CLYSTER. — Water  gruel,  from  4  to  6  quarts  ;  Epsom  salts,  4 
or  5  ounces.  Inject  warm,  with  a  large  syringe,  or  ox  bladder  and 
long  pipe. 

A  eecond  and  third  should  follow,  a  little  warmer 
than  the  first,  and  after  an  evacuation,  the  next  clys- 
ter may  be  made  without  salts,  and  a  little  thicker  than 
at  first.  Its  effect  will  be  to  remain  and  nourish  the 
parts  nearly  in  the  same  manner  as  a  poltice  does  an 
external  inflamed  wound. 

MOLTEN  GREASE 
Is  but   a   variety  of   inflammation  of  the  intestines 
when  the  subject  of  attack  happens  to  be  very  fat,  and 


do 

little  accustomed  to  exercise ;  when  marked  by  cos-* 
tiveness,  it  may  be  treated  as  directed  for  that  ;  or  if 
attended  by  looseness,  may  rather  be  considered  as  a 
spasmodic  effort  of  nature  to  relieve  itself  of  an  un- 
natural load.  Let  the  symptoms  be  reduced  accord- 
ing as  the  state  of  the  pulse  may  dictate — for  which 
consult  again  wliat  is  said  under  "  Fever"  as  to  bleed- 
ing, and  under  "  Co^tiveness"  as  to  treating  him  for 
that.  If  heat  and  irritation  be  perceivable  to  the  touch 
and  signt  about  the  anus,  wiihout  high  pulse,  the  first 
symptom  may  be  reduced  by  administering  the  fol- 
lowing 

SEDATIVE  CLYSTER.— Camphor,  four  drachms  1  spirits  of 
wine,  3  or  4  drops ;  to  promote  the  solution,  add  sweet  oil,  2  oun- 
ces. Mix  it  well,  and  then  add  thin  warm  water  gruel,  two  or  three 
quarts. 

Molten  grease  is  rather  an  effect  than  a  cause  of 
disease,  and  partakes  of  cholic  in  one  of  its  forms  and 
of  inflimmation  in  the  other  ;  the  symptoms  which 
distinguish  one  from  the  other  are  precisely  those  set 
down  at  page  28.  Allowing  somewhat  for  the  fever- 
ish symptoms  that  always  prevail  wiih  such  fat  and 
bloated  animals  as  are  subject  to  this  disorder,  the 
practitioner  cannot  commit  himself  to  the  guidance  of 
a  better  test  than  that  referred  to.  For  the  treatment 
of  spasmodic  cholic  affecting  fat  animals, see  the  infor- 
mation given  under  the  next  head,  "  Cholic,''  &c, 

THE  CHOLIC,  GRIPES,  OR  FRETS. 
.  The  causes  are  the  same  as  for  Inflammation  of  the 
Bowels,  and  differs  from  that  owing  to  the  previous 
state  of  the  animal  attacked.  He  has  not  been  so  high 
kept,  and  consequently  not  so  irritable  in  any  part  of 
his  system  ;  but  owing  to  stoppages,  is  soon  troubled 
with  spasmodic  affections  of  the  intestines,  iv/iich  re- 
ceives the  name  of  gripes,  or  fret,  or  flatulent  cholic, 
by  different  persons. 

For  the  symptoms,  you  are  referred  to  the  table 
given  in  page  28  of  this  book. 

Cure. — Too  much  care  cannot  be  taken  to  ascer- 
tain the  precise  nature  and  amount  of  the  disease  ; 
for  an  error  in  this  respect  would  endanger  his  life, 
which  is  too  often  sacrificed  by  precipitancy  and  igno- 


mnce.  In  v/hatever  shape  the  horse  is  attacked  with 
those  disorders,  the  first  and  most  obvious  duty  is  the 
employment  of  clysters,  to  be  repeated  at  short  inter- 
vals, with  this  single  variation,  viz  :  in  cases  of  relax- 
ation, where  the  animal  is  nlready  purged,  the  clyster 
is  then  to  consist  of  simple  water  gruel  only  ;  but 
when  the  patieni's  bowels  are  overloaded  with  harden- 
ed dung,  the  addition  of  salts,  as  prescribed  in  page 
29,  will  be  found  most  effeclual.  In  the  absence  of 
salts,  a?  no  time  is  to  be  lost,  four  or  five  ounces  of 
common  salt  may  be  employed.  Remove  the  dung 
also  with  the  hand,  called  back-raking  ;  and  give  the 
laxative  drench  prescribed  on  page  29,  or  the  simple 
salad  or  castor  oil  in  default  thereof. 

In  ordinary  cases,  when  the  attack  is  not  of  the 
most  violent  kind  of  either  description  of  cholic,  that 
is  to  say,  when  neither  purging  nor  constipation  pre- 
vail extremely,  let  the  following  be  given  : 

CHOLIC  DRENCH. — Epsom  Salts,  4  or 5  ounces;  Castile  soap, 
sliced,  2  ounces.  Dissolve  these  in  a  pint  of  ale,  and.  add  oil  of  ju- 
niper, 2  drachms,  and  Venice  turpentine,  2  ounces.  Mix  well  to- 
gether, and  give  it  wai'm. 

Repeat  the  same  in  four  or  five  hours,  and  if  the 
symptoms  do  not  visibly  abnte,  repeat  once  more. — 
Tincture  of  opium  is  sometimes  substituted  for  the 
turpentine,  to  the  amount  of  4  drachms,  but  it  is  ren- 
dered exceedingly  nauseous  thereby,  and  should  be 
given  deliberately  ;  opium  is,  moreover,  least  proper 
when  a  tendency  to  costiveness  is  discovered  to  exist. 

COLIC  DRENCH,  No.  2.— Tincture  of  opium,  2  drachms;  oil 
of  juni?3er,  2  drachms;  spirit  of  nitrous  ether,  1  ounce;  tincture  of 
benzoin,  4  drachms;  aromatic  spirit  of  ammonia,  3  drachms. 

Mix  together,  and  preserve  the  same  in  a  bottle,  and 
give  in  a  pint  of  warm  peppermint  water.  Repeat  it 
in  three  or  four  hours. 

When  the  case  is  not  very  alarming,  a  neater  man- 
ner of  giving  opium,  in  the  form  of  a  ball,  is  best, 
viz  :  4  drachms  ossafcEtida,  and  4  drachms  ojiium — 
make  into  lour  balls  with  liquorice  powder  and  syrup, 
and  give  one  every  two  honrs.  The  balls  may  be 
given  along  with  the  oily  laxative  at  page  29  ;  imme- 
diately preceding  it,  or  before  it  has  operated-  These 
t»alls  are  very  serviceable  to  travellers  on  their  jour- 
C 


32 

neys,  and  may  be  given  to  horses  liable  to  contract 
spasmodic  cholic,whicli  is  the  case  with  heavy,  lieshy 
draught  cattle,  with  post  horses,  and  the  like. 

Cholic  is  not  often  fatal  unless  it  terminates  in  in- 
flammation, which  it  will  do  if  not  relieved.  Delay 
to  remove  the  cause  is  dangerous,  and  many  good 
stage  horses  are  thereby  lost  every  year. 

If  in  case  of  costiveness  it  is  not  well  removed, 
and  cold  ears  and  legs  come  on,  let  the  belly  be  fo- 
mented with  warm  water,  by  means  of  woollen  cloth 
steeped  therein.  A  horse  rug  may  be  used.  After 
half  an  hour's  application  or  more,  let  the  coat  be  well 
rubbed  with  dry  cloths,  and  the  animal  wrapped  in 
blankets.  The  clystering,  and  other  remedies  recom- 
mended in  cases  of  inflamation,  should  then  be  em- 
ployed with  assiduity.  Lastly,  employ  the  tonic  sys- 
tem and  regimen  recommended,  generally,  in  all  in- 
flammatory cases  — for  which  refer  to  the  proper  heads 
in  this  book. 


LIVER  COMPLAINT.^ 

»S?//n_pio7n5.- -Whenever  inflammation,  or  extraordi- 
nary action  of  the  kidneys,  or  of  the  diaphragm,  has 
lasted  some  time,  in  ever  so  small  a  degree,  in  the  same 
degree  will  heat  or  inflammation  attend  the  liver.  It 
enlarges  upon  the  accession  of  this  heat,  visibly  so 
when  this  has  continued  a  while,  but  may  be  previ- 
ously ascertained  by  the  feel.  The  liver  extends 
much  farther  back  than  the  last  rib,  and  a  little  be- 
yond the  false  one.  Hero  a  considerable  protube- 
rance appeals  when  the  liver  is  enlarged,  and  disease 
may  be  ascertained  that  is  attended  by  the  presence 
of  pain  only,  which  may  be  known  by  pressing  the 
points  of  the  fingers  (of  the  left  hand)  gently  behind 
the  last  or  false  rib  several  times,  and  his  flinching 
will  denote  the  degree  of  pain. 

Remedy. — Acute  inflammation,  which  comes  on 
with  dangerous  strides,  when  the  horse  is  of  vigorous 
habits,  must  be  met  by  bleeding  proportioned  to  the 
state  of  the  pulse,  and  that  without  delay.  For,  it 
speedily  communicates  to  the  intestines,  and  death  en- 
sues.    A  purgative  ball  should  accompany  the  bleed- 


ing,  as  in  all  other  cases  of  bleeding  ;  but  if  the  ani^ 
mal  produce  a  stool  voluntarily,  the  disorder  has  ta- 
ken a  turn,  and  neither  the  operation  nor  physic  is 
required.  After  bleeding,  let  the  sides  be  rubbed  with 
the  blistering  ointment  prescribed  on  page  22,  and  ap* 
ply  a  rowel  to  the  chest.  The  same  treatment,  as  to 
diet  and  regimen,  as  for  fever,  and  his  pulse  and 
stools  must  be  watched,  and  relapse  prevented.  Cal- 
omel is  that  medicament  which  more  immediately  acts 
upon  the  liver,  and  unless  the  horse  scours,  should  be 
administered  in  the  form  of  alterative  balls. 

ALTERATIVE  BALL.— Aloes,  9  drachms;  calomel,  1  dra'm. 
hard  soap,  half  an  ounce.  jNIix  with  mucilage  and  divide  into  three 
laall-^ 

To  be  given  on  three  successive  nights,  unless  a 
thin  stool  comes  off  with  the  second  ball.  But  in  case 
of  scouring,  give  the  following  :    . 

No,  2, — -Oil  uf  tu;-peutiue,  hard  soap,  powdered  ginger,  1  oz.each 

Mix  with  mucilage  to  form  three  balls  ;  and  give  one 
on  each  of  successive  nights. 


THE  JAUNDICE   OR  YELLOWS. 

Symptoms. — A  dusky  yellowness  of  the  eyes,  bars 
of  the  mouth,  and  tongue.  The  dung  scanty  and  pale, 
generally  hard,  and  covered  with  slime ;  but  in  some 
i'ew  cases  the  hor.se  scours  ;  that  is,  when  slight  in- 
flammation of  the  bowels  also  attacks  an  ill-condition- 
ed horse.  The  pulse  is  that  of  low  fever,  and  the 
same  kind  of  drooping,  inactivity,  with  loss  of  appe- 
tite. Sometimes,  however,  yellowness  comes  on 
without  the  other  symptoms,  after  an  inflammatory  fe- 
ver ;  an  occurrence  that  cannot  fail  to  be  foreknown. 
Genuine  jaundice  may  further  be  discriminated  by  yel- 
low lips,  yellow  saliva,  and  dark  urine. 

Cure. — Young  horses  and  fat  ones,  are  easily  cured, 
they  have  indulged  too  freely  in  good  living,  and  re- 
quire no  more  treatment  than  a  good  physicing, — 
Give  the  purgative  ball,  page  14,  or  the  alterative  ball, 
No.  1,  prescribed  above.  Give  bran  mashes,  green 
food,  or  boiled  oats,  carrots,  potatoes,  or  turnips,  ac- 
cording to  the  season.  Bleeding  is  seldom  necessary 
or  proper,  which  the  state  of  the  pulse  will  show. 

The  following  bal4  may  take  place  of  the  preceed- 


S4 

jng,  in  case  of  scours  particularly  when  the  coat  is 
staring,  which  may  be  given  on  three  successive 
nights,  unless  the  first  and  second  have  operated, 
which  with  good  nursing  or  attention  to  diet  for  a 
%yhile,  will  restore  the  animal  to  good  health  and  ac- 
tivity. 

ALTERATIVE  BALL.— Emetic  tarlar,  3  drachms ;  aloes,  9 
drachms,  hard  soap,  1  ounce  ;  ginger,  1  scruple.  Mix,  and  divide 
iiito  three  balls. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  TflE  KIDNEYS. 

SympLo?ns, — Great  tension  and  soreness  of  the 
part;  which  may  be  ascerfnined  hy  passing  your 
hand  along  the  small  of  the  back»  ov-r  the  kidneys, 
when  the  animal  shrinks  from  the  touch, which  with  or 
without  bloody  urine,  iml-cate  inflammation  of  the 
kidneys  ;  another  symptom  that  may  bo  relied  upon 
is  a  stiffness  noticed  in  his  hind  leg  on  the  side  which 
may  be  t^ttficked  first;  afterwards,  when  l.oih  kid- 
neys are  affected,  the  animal  becomes  stiff  of  both 
legs.  This  symptom  does  not  occur  in  inflammed 
bladder,  and  is  a  good  disiinctive  mark,  when  labor- 
ing under  doubt  in  some  other  point  of  resemblance 
between  the  two  diseases.  In  all  singes  of  this  diso.-- 
der»  the  horse  stands  as  if  he  wanted  to  stale,  strad- 
dling and  making  the  most  exertion  when  he  voids 
the  least  urine  (which  is  generally  bloody.)  The 
consequence  is,  the  kidneys  wa.ste  away,  and  the  dis- 
ease communicates  to  the 'bladder,  untiflhe  final  ruin, 
if  i.'Ot  cured  in  time  ;  therefore  early  symptoms  should 
be  immediately  removed. 

Cure — As  In  all  <ases  of  inflammation,  blood  ac- 
cording to  the  pulse,  until  properly  reduced,  and  im- 
mediately after,  give  him  18  ounces  castor  oil,  provi- 
ded the  animal  has  not  dung(^d  during  the  twentv-four 
hours,  as  commonly  hiippens  ;  less  m  ly  suffi-.-e  in 
general.  Give  warm  clysters  frequently,  as  prescri- 
bed at  page  15,  for  fever  ;  and  for  the  same  rea.son 
give  him  a  loose  stall,  if  the  paraxysms  are  so  acute 
as  to  cause  him  to  lie  down  and  get  up  again.  Though 
his  bowels  may  be  in  a  tolerable  stale,  give  him  the 
following  portion  of  aloes  next  da)'  : 

MILD  PURGATIVE  BALL.— Aloes,4  drachms,  and  CastUe 
soap,  4  drachms.     Mix,  with  muciliage  to  fonn  a  ball. 


35 

Should  ihe  symptoms  abate  nothing  in  consequence 
of  this  treatment,  the  bleeding  must  be  repeated  and 
the  purgative   too.     Rub  over  his  loins  the  following 

EMBROCATION. — Spirits  of  wine  and  soap,  each  2  ounces  ' 
camphor,  1  ounce.     Mix,  and  nib  it  on  with  the  pahn  of  the  hand- 

Cover  the  animal  up  well,  and  be  careful  how  he  is 
subsequently  exposed  to'the  air.  iMustard  embroca- 
tion is  equally  efficacious,  being  rubbed  on  soft  sheep- 
skin, cover  the  loins  therewith.  Give  the  cooling  de- 
coction in  large  quantities,  as  directed  under  the  head 
of  "Costiveness,"  in  a  preceding  page.  His  diet  will 
require  boiled  oats,  or  vegetables,  and  green  food  if  the 
season  admits  of  it. 

DISEASE  OF  THE  BLADDER. 

Symptoms. — Frequent  desire  to  stale,  the  bladder 
contracting  on  every  drop  of  water  almost  that  finds 
its  way  into  it.  A  quick  sharp  pulse,  and  small,  ac- 
companies, if  it  has  not  preceded  inflammation  of  the 
bladder  ;  yet  bleeding  would  not  be  proper,  as  it  is  the 
poorness  of  the  blood  which  brought  on  the  diabetes 
that  caused  the  inflammation.  VVhentver  this  symp- 
tom has  not  preceded  inflammation,  the  pul-^e  will  be 
more  full,  and  bleedmg  to  an  amount  proportioned  to 
the  state  of  the  pulse  would  ihen  be  necessary. 

Remedy- — A  slightly  purgative  ball  should  of  course 
follow  the  bleeding,  but  employ  neither  in  the  extreme. 
Giving  the  cooling  decoction  recommended  in  'Fever,' 
page  14  ;  administer  clyster  of  the  same  two  or  three 
times  a  day.  Should  great  heat  of  the  bladder  con- 
tinue, notwithstanding  these  remedies,  give  the  fever 
powder  No.  2,  at  page  15,  and  afterwards  No.  2,  made 
in  a  ball,  daily. 


DIABETE  OR  EXCESSIVE  STALING. 

Symptoms. — Of  course,  the  most  obvious  is  the  dis- 
charge whence  the  disorder  derives  its  name,  being 
frequent  in  very  large  quantities.  At  first,  the  water 
is  colorless,  but  occasionally  comes  off  like  puddle. 
Constant  craving  after  water,  a  staring  coat,  evident 
weakness,  and  weak  quickened  pulse,  succeed  each 
c2 


86 

Other,  and  increase  as  the  disorder  is  suffered  to  pro- 
ceed unchecked. 

Cure. — Change  in  the  animal's  diet,  whatever  it 
may  have  been.  If  the  horse  be  laboring  under  the 
remains  of  some  ill-cured  disorder,  attend  to  that  first, 
and  by  removing  it,  the  excessive  staling  will  cease 
also.  Give  boiled  oats  or  vegetables,  grass,  water  in 
small  quantities  and  often.  If  the  pulse  be  higher 
than  ordinary,  give  the  fever  powders,  page  14,  and 
when  the  number  of  strokes  per  minute  are  reduced, 
let  the  oats  be  given  dry,  and  resort  to  bracing  medi- 
cines. In  slight  attacks,  as  well  as  for  less  robust  ani- 
mals, the  various  preparations  of  bark  will  be  suffi- 
ciently tonic. 

TONIC  BALL,  No.  1 — Cascarilla  and  gentian  root,  2  drachms 
each ;  powdered  carraways,  half  a  drachm,  with  molasses  enough  to 
form  the  ball  for  one  dose.     Give  Morning  and  evening. 

In  more  formidable  cases,  where  greater  strength, 
or  more  tedious  symptoms  require  to  be  combatied, 
give  the  tonic  ball  below. 

TONIC  BALL,  No.  1. — Venice  turpentine,  1  scruple;  sulphate 
of  copper,  and  ginger,  1  drachm  each.  Mix  with  liquorice  powder 
sufficient  for  one  dose,  and  give  twice  a  day  for  three  or  four  days. 

After  this,  a  return  to  the  use  of  No.  1,  would  be 
desirable,  until  the  disorder  is  subdued.  Should  cos- 
tiveness  ensue,  give  a  clyster,  which  will  also  relieve 
the  irritation  of  the  parts  ;  castor  oil,  one  pint,  must 
be  administered,  if  the  costiveness  appear  obstinate. 
Above  all  things  avoid  the  numerous  quack  remedies 
in  this  as  well  as  other  complaints,  as  you  may  ruin 
your  horse. 

Incontinence  of  urine  is  the  same  nature  as  the  last 
mentioned,  only  differing  in  the  discharge  being  in- 
voluntary, and  the  amount  and  quantity  produced. — 
The  disposition  to  stale  frequently,  or  the  urine  com- 
ing away  with  scarcely  an  effort,  proves  that  great 
irritability  of  the  bladder  is  the  proximate  cause.— 
The  treatment  is  the  same  as  directed  above,  and  a 
run  at  grass  and  generous  feeding  afterwards  will 
complete  the  cure. 

HOW  TO  KNOW  THE  STATE  OF  HEALTH 
BY  THE  PULSE. 

When  horses  are  in  health,  the  pulsation  or  strokes 
are  from  thirty-six  to  forty-five  in  a  minute  ;  those 


37 

of  large  heavy  horses  behig  slower  than  of  the  smal- 
ler ;  and  of  old  ones,  they  are  also  slower  than  of 
young  ones.  When  either  may  be  just  off  a  quick 
pace,  the  strokes  increase  in  number;  as  they  do  if 
they  be  alarmed  or  terrified,  or  hear  the  hound's  fa- 
miliar cry.  Fever,  of  the  simple  or  common  kind, 
usually  increases  the  pulsation  to  double  the  healthy 
number.  Hence  the  propriety  of  ascertaining  the 
state  of  this  index  of  health,  while  the  animal  is  still 
free  from  disease,  goes  to  prove  over  again  the  pro- 
priety of  closely  examining  the  indications  of  health 
and  setting  down  the  same  in  a  book  at  several  differ- 
ent times  ;  so  that  you  would  at  all  times  have  a  cor- 
rect record  of  the  natural  healthy  pulse  of  each  horse, 
which  will  enable  you  to  notice  the  first  approach  or 
commencement  of  any  disease,  ascertain  the  cause, 
and  apply  a  remedy  immediately,  and  thus  never  en- 
danger the  horse  or  be  compelled  to  reduce  him  very 
low  to  effect  a  cure. 

WHERE  TO  FEEL  THE  PULSE. 

As  fever  increases  in  violence,  when  the  animal  is 
in  great  pain  from  inflammation  of  the  intestines,  &c., 
the  pulse  beats  still  higher,  and  reaches  to  100  in  a 
minute,  or  more.     The  danger  is  then  great,  and  less 
than  three  or  four  quarts  of  blood,  drawn  from  a  large 
orifice,  would  do  harm  instead  of  good,  by  increasing 
the  action  of  the  blood,  and  the  hardness  of  the  artery 
would  also  be  increased.     To  ascertain  either  state, 
the  attendant  should  apply  the  points  of  his  fingers 
gently  to  the  artery  which  lies  nearest  the  surface. 
Some  prefer  consulting  the  temporal  artery,  which  is 
situated  about  an  inch  and  a  half  backward  from  the 
corner  c-f  the  eye.     Others  again,  and  they  are  the 
greater  number,  think  it  best  to  feel  it  underneath  the 
edge  of  the  jaw-bone,  where  the  facial  artery  passes 
on  under  the   skin  only  to  the  side   of  the  face.     In 
either  case.^too  great  pressure  would  stop  the  pulsation 
altogether,  though  by  so  trying  the  rrtery  against  the 
jaw-bone,  will  prove  whether  it  be  in  such  a  rigid  state 
of  excitement  as  attends  high  fever ;  or  elastic  and 
springy,  slipping  readily  from  under  the  finger,  as  it 
does  v/hen  health  prevails  and  the  strokes  follow  each 
other  regularly. 


38 

The  presence  of  high  fever  is  further  indicated  by  a 
kind  of  twang,  or  vibration,  given  by  the  pulse  against 
the  finger  points,  resembling  much  such  as  would  be 
felt  were  we  to  take  hold  of  a  distended  whipcord  or  wire 
between  the  fingers,  and  cause  it  to  vibrate  Hke  a  fiddle- 
string,  sharply  ;  whereas,  in  health,  a  swell  is  felt  in  the 
vibration,  as  if  the  string  were  made  of  soft  materials, 
and  less  straighte.ied  ;  these  are  the  facts  which  owners 
of  horses  would  do  well  to  practice  on  their  own  horses. 
Languid  or  slow  pulse,  and  .scarcely  perceptible  in  some 
of  the  beats  or  strokes,  indicjite- lowness  of  spirits,  de- 
bility, or  being  used  up  ;  if  this  languor  is  felt  at  inter- 
vals only,  a  few  strokes  being  very  quick,  and  then 
again  very  slow,  this  indicates  low  fever,  in  which  bleed- 
ing would  do  harm,  and  he  must  be  treated  as  directed 
for  low  fever,  under  that  head.  Quickness,  however, 
is  the  chief  indication  of  the  whole  class  of  inflammato- 
ry fever,  which  require  bleeding,  as  also  directed  under 
the  appropriate  heads. 

In  all  cases  of  inflammation,  whether  of  the  whole 
system,  or  fever,  or  of  particular  organs,  let  bleeding  be 
resorted  to  imtTiediately,  in  quantity  proportioned  to  the 
amount  of  heat,  or  the  number  of  beats  in  a  minute,  to 
wit:  if  the  pulsation  amount  to  above  60,  two  quarts 
should  be  taken  ;  if  above  70,  three  quarts  ;  and  if  the 
number  of  beats  be  much  more,  ascending  rapidly,  four 
quarts  at  least,  should  be  taken  ;  and  if  the  rigidity  or 
hardness  of  the  artery  continue,  a  quantity  that  shall 
cause  faintness  -or  tottering  may  be  taken.  P.iysic 
should  in  all  cases  be  administered  after  bleeding. 

Always  measure  the  blood  taken,  that  you  may  cal- 
culate correctly  the  amount  of  effect  produced  upon  the 
pulse,  and  be  able  to  regulate  your  future  operations  in 
that  respect ;  and  remember  that  bleeding  too  little  is 
more  hurtful  than  too  much  in  high  condition. 


EXTERNAL  DISORDERS. 

CRITICAL  ABSCESS  is  that  swelling  or  tumour 
which  is  occasionally  thrown  out  on  the  body  or  limbs, 
from  no  apparent  accident,  but  what  may  be  traced  to 
that  derangement  of  the  system  we  call  fever,  and 
zs  sometimes  attendant  upon  protracted  imflammatjon 


89 

of  the  livor,  when  the  disease  appears  on  the  fascia  of 
the  muscles  of  the  belly,  on  the  jowl,  or  other  glandu- 
lar parts. 

The  cause  and  the  effect  thus  become  manifest  to- 
gether; and  when  great  tenderness  is  evinced  upon 
touching  the  parts  in  ordinary  cases,  noihiog  more  is 
required,  tiian  to  make  an  opening  in  the  lowest  ^dge 
o^  the  s'A-el  ing,  and  expressing  the  contests  ;  ihe  cure 
is  effjcled   by  me;ins  of  the  comirion    *' digestive  oint- 
ment,"  which   is  prescribed  under  the  article   "  Poll- 
evil,"'  in  a  succeeding  page.     But  liie  proper  ti(ne  at 
which  the   opening  is  to  be  thus  made  requiies  close 
observation.      In  general,  this  may  appear  by  a  change 
in  the  animal's  manner  ;   he  will  eat  more  heartily  as 
the  matter  increases  ;  which  proves  that  the  disease 
of  his  habit  has  accumula'ed  at  this   precise  spot.— • 
He   should  nut  be  allowed  long  to  remain  in  liiis  slate, 
lest  the  offensive  matter  should   penetj-ate  inw;irdly  or 
latteriy.     If  the  disease  is    thus  distinctly  known  to 
have  proceeded  froiia  the  remiins  oC  ill-cured  fever  or 
inflammation,   poultices  should  be  applied   to  bring  it 
forw.ird  to  the  surface,  and    the    an.in\l   receive    in- 
creased feed  of  dry    oats,  of  beans,    or   boiled  oats, 
accordmg  to  his  former  habits,  in  order  to  encourage 
the  access  of  the  matte i  ;   lor  nature  exhauoted  by  the 
violence  or  the  continuence  o:   the  disorder,  is  incapa- 
ble o(  expelling  this  last   remains  of  the  enemy,  and 
stands  in    need  of  support.     Should  the  horse    havo 
been  lately  laid  up   with  fever,  or  for  some  time  past 
shown   l:mgo-r    in  his  g'lit,  and  heaviness  about  the 
eyes,  or  it  may  he  con<-iiided  from  his  recent  haid  la- 
bor and    hard  mode  of  living,  that  he   has   been  long 
ailiag   inwardly  ;   in    this  ca.>.e  the  abcess  be  ng    evi- 
dently critical  sympioms   of  ihe  g  ueral    bad  slate  of 
the  blood,  nature  must  be  assisted  in  getting  rid  of  the 
offensive  mailer  ;   and   for   ihat  purpose   bring  the  tu- 
mour to  a  head  by  means  of  a  poultice.      The  head  is 
most  commonly  the  seat  of  swelled  glands. 

DRAWING  POULTICE.— White  bread,  the  crum  of  4  pounds 
— Onions  chopped,  2  pounds. 

Boil  the  onions  in  water,  and  pour  the  whole  on  the 
bread  ;  mix  to  a  tolerable  consistency,  and  whilst  blood- 


4U 

V\arm  apply  copiously  to  the  parts  in  a  cloth.  Support 
the  application  by  means  of  a  bandage  of  stout  linen 
cloth,  with  ligatures  tied  over  the  forehead  and  across 
the  mane  or  neck  of  the  horse  in  two  directions.  Some 
persons  recommend  the  use  of  a  solution  of  gum  to 
render  the  cloth  impervious  to  liquids.  By  those  means 
the  swelling  will  come  to  a  head,  when  apply  the  knife, 
and  the  same  day,  let  a  mild  laxative  be  given,  and 
lower  his  diet. 

MILD  PURGATIVE— Aloes,  4  or  5  drachms;  Castile  soap, 
3  drachms;  Calomel,  1  drachm;  Gmger,  2  drachms;  Oil  of  Car- 
rovvay,  10  drops.     Mucillage  enough  for  a  ball,  for  one  dose. 

When  it  so  happens  that  the  opening  has  been  made 
too  soon,  before  it  has  accumulated  suflTiciently,  the  ori- 
fice may  be  kept  open  by  means  of  a  seaton  passed 
through  it  to  the  lowest  side,  and  the  running  continued 
several  days,  until  it  assumes  a  healthy  appearance,  and 
the  swelling  subsides.  This  plan  of  applying  a  seaton 
must  always  be  adopted  with  the  slow  or  sordid  tumor, 
which  will  not  come  forward  with  the  poultice  or  blister 
alone.  Deep-seated  abscess  under  the  muscles  of  the 
belly  arc  for  want  of  timely  attention,  scarcely  ever 
discovered  in  time  to  prevent  its  bursting  inside,  and 
killing  the  horse,  although  if  it  is  discovered  in  time  to 
draw  outward  to  be  lanced,  the  horse  will  get  well. — 
See  to  it  in  time.  The  horse  will  flinch  at  the  touch  if 
one  be  there. 


POLL  EVIL.— Next  to  a  diseased  habit  of  body, 
as  just  before  noticed,  which  predisposes  a  certain  des- 
cription of  horses  to  contract  tumors  in  various  parts  of 
the  body,  the  poll-evil  is  frequently  occasioned  by  a 
blow,  or  gall,  ©fa  very  trivial  nature,  if  it  do  not  come 
on  M'ithout  this  kind  of  excitement.  The  action  of  the 
head  is  very  great  with  some  horses,  arising  probably 
from  an  itching  in  the  upper  part  of  the  clevical  ligament, 
where  it  is  attached  to  the  vertebrae  of  the  neck  ;  and 
this  causing  irritation,  we  need  not  hesitate  long  in  ac- 
counting for  the  inflammation  that  affects  the  muscle 
which  interposes  between  it  and  the  poll-bone,  in  a  ca- 
vity that  is  greater  with  some  breeds  of  horses  than 
others. 


Sijmploms. — At  first  the  animal  appears  resiles.-*; 
throwing  his  head  back  and  returning-  it  to  the  former 
position,  as  it"  the  eftbrts  had  occasioned  pain.  Soon 
after,  it  droops  the  head,  holding  it  first  on  one  side  and 
then  on  the  other ;  appears  dull  about  the  eyes,  and  be- 
comes sluiisish  in  his  movements.  In  this  state  it  con- 
tinues  a  longer  or  shorter  timp.  As  it  goes  on,  a  dis- 
position to  flinch  from  the  touch  is  evinced  whenever  the 
part  is  approached  with  the  hand  ;  if  the  evil  be  deep 
seated  the  swelling  is  wide,  but  not  so  high  ;  and  when 
nearer  the  surface,  it  presents  a  point,  is  circumscribed 
by  a  well  marked  circle,  and  tells  by  its  throbbing  at  the 
point  how  necessary  it  is  to  let  the  matter  out.  Again, 
to  ascertain  that  the  matter  is  near  the  surface,  apply 
two  fingers  alternately  on  the  sides  of  the  tumor,  and 
the  matter  will  recede  from  side  to  side.     Let  it  out. 

Cure. — When  not  deeply  sealed,  at  an  early  stage  of 
the  disorder,  some  persons  attempt  to  carry  it  oft'  thro' 
the  animal  system  by  embrocations  and  mild  physic  ; 
but  experience  has  shown  that  the  safest  and  most  eftec- 
tual  cures  are  efi^ected  by  drawing  the  disorder  out  ex- 
ternally. With  this  view,  as  soon  as  the  evil  is  kiiown 
to  exist,  let  the  parts  be  softened  and  drawn  with  a  poul- 
tice of  oatmeal,  put  on  luke-warm,  twice  a  day  ;  if  the 
effect  be  not  visible  to  the  eye  and  touch,  increase  the 
powers  of  the  poultice,  by  the  addition  of  onions  chop- 
ped and  mixed  with  the  poultice  whilst  warm.  The 
poultice  should  be  put  an  inch  thick  at  least,  over  the 
whole  swelling,  having  a  small  quantity  of  sweet  oil, 
hog's  lard,  or  oil  of  turpentine  mixed  therewith.  When 
the  evil  is  drawn  near  the  surface,  and  the  matter  can  be 
felt  as  before  described,  an  opening  is  to  be  made  the 
whole  length  of  the  abscess,  a  little  below  its  centre, 
taking  care  that  the  knife  do  not  pass  ci^oss-wise,  lest 
the  attachment  of  the  cirvicular  licjament  to  the  first 
(vertebra?)  bone,  should  be  severed  ;  in  which  case  the 
animal  would  droop  his  head  ever  after.  On  the  escape 
of  the  matter,  after  ascertaining  with  a  probe  whether  it 
runs  in  pipes,  of  sinuses,  this  way  and  that,  or  with 
small  bis  of  diseased  fibre  or  membrane  stretching 
across  the  cavity,  so  as  nearly  to  divide  it  into  unequal 
parts — let  each  be  just  touched  with  the  knife.  It  must 
be  kept  running  by  means  of  a  seaton,  as  directed  for 


4ft 

abscess.  When  the  abscess  or  evil  is  very  deep,  reach" 
ing  to  the  bone,  which  may  be  felt,  the  matter  shouUl  be 
expelled  by  pressing  gently  on  two  sides  of  it  at  once. 
Let  the  lips  of  the  opening  be  dressed  the  first  time,  and 
as  long  as  it  may  be  found  necessary  to  keep  the  wound 
open,  with  any  ointment  hereafter  mentioned,  on 
which  has  been  strewed  sulphate  of  cop[}er  powdered. 
Should  (he  lips  adhere  together,  or  appear  much  diseas- 
ed, wash  them  wiih  muriate  of  ammonia,  taking  care  it 
does  not  run  upon  the  sound  parts,  nor  into  the  cavity. 
In  either  case  wash  off  the  dead  parts  with  warm  water, 
before  each  dressing,  sponge  it  clean  and  dry,  after  in- 
serting the  probe  on  every  side  into  the  fistulous  sinuses, 
and  continue  this  treatment  until  the  parts  assume  a 
healthy  appearance. 

The  seton  shou'd  never  be  neglected  in  bad  cases  of 
either  description,  but  be  introduced  at  the  lowest  or 
most  depending  side  of  the  abscess,  after  being  wetted 
with  the  following 

IRRITATING  MIXTURE.— Spirits  of  wine,  2  ounces;  Corro- 
sive sublimate,  1  scruple.     Mix,  and  saturate  the  tape  in  it  daily. 

This  will  keep  the  orifice  open  until  the  offensive  mat- 
ter run  off,  and  is  succeeded  by  the  more  healthy  issue 
of  a  thicker  consistency,  and  nearly  white.  On  this 
appearance,  the  sf^aton  is  to  be  withdrawn,  and  the  parts 
dressed  with  the  digestive  ointment,  the  animal  physiced 
once  or  twice  with  a  moderate  purging-  ball  of  six  or 
seven  drachms  of  aloes,  and  the  cure  will  complete  it- 
self with  the  usual  dressing  in  a  substantial  manner. 

DIGESTIVE  OINTMENT,  No.  1.— Yellow  wax,  rosin,  Bur- 
gundy pitch,  of  each  1  pound  ;  turpentine,  4  ounces  ;  linseed  oil,  20 
ounces.     Dissolve  over  a  slow  fire. 

Spread  it  upon  leather  or  stout  linen  cloth,  sufficiently 
large  to  come  over  on  the  undiseased  region  of  the  evil, 
after  the  wound  has  been  well  cleansed.  Fresh  dress- 
ings hereof  should  go  on  daily,  but  in  no  case  until  the 
matter  assumes  a  healthy  appearance,  which  it  never 
can  do,  unless  the  whole  recess  has  been  reached  with 
the  knife,  or  by  the  operation  of  the  "  scalding  mixture" 
below.  There  are  three  recipes  recommended  by  dif- 
ferent farriers  of  note. 

Scalding  Mixture,  No.  1 . — Tar,  mutton  suet,  rosin,  of  each  twa 
ounces ;  bees-wax,  1  ounce  ;  melt  slowly  ojid  mix  in  spirits  of  tur* 
pentine,  2  ounces;  verdigris,  6  drachms 


43 

Mix,  and  pour  into  the  orifice  hot,  and  close  it  with 
stitches.     The  next  two  are  generally  preferred. 

Scalding  Mixture,  No.  2. — Con-osive  sublimate,  verdigris,  and 
blue  vitriol,  2  drachms  each  ;  green  copperas,  half  an  ounce  ;  honey 
2  ounces  ;  oil  turpentine  ajid  train  oil,  8  ounces  each  ;  rectified  spi- 
rits of  wine,  4  ounces. 

No.  3. — Oil  of  turpentine,  2  ounces  ;  verdigris,  1  ounce  ;  Oint- 
ment of  yellow  rosin,  6  ounces. 

Mix,  and  apply  either,  No.  1,  2,  or  3,  as  before  di- 
rected. In  using  any  of  those  hot  mixtures,  a  piece  of 
tow  should  be  placed  so  as  to  surround  the  orifice  on 
the  outside  to  prevent  its  running  over  the  sound  parts ; 
and  care  also  taken  to  prevent  the  acrimonious  dis- 
charge from  remaining  any  time  on  the  sound  parts,  as 
it  will  be  found  to  corrode  and  cause  ulcers.  Let  it 
remain  undisturbed  for  sixty  hours,  unless  the  stitches 
burst  sooner.  Then  sponge  out  the  parts  with  warm 
water,  cleanse  away  all  filth,  and  repeat  the  mixture  or 
proceed  at  OHce  to  the  cure — a  determination  the  doc- 
tor will  come  to,  according  as  the  rottenness  may  have 
sloughed  oflT,  and  the  inside  of  the  abscess  may  present 
a  healthy  appearance,  or  otherwise.  If  it  be  quite  clean, 
the  adhesion  of  the  parts  will  follow  with  very  litile  fur- 
ther care  than  applying  the  digestive  ointment  according 
to  the  preceding  recipe,  or  the  following 

Digestive  Ointmejit,  No.  2. — Common  turpentine,  4  ounces;  the 
yolks  of  two  eggs;  mix  these  well,  and  add  myrrh,  in  powder,  4 
drachms ;  mastich  2  drachms ;  tincture  of  myrrh  sufficient  to  bring 
the  whole  to  a  proper  consistence. 

Should  the  cure  of  the  wound  proceed  too  fast,  the 
over  luxuriant  granulations  of  new  or  proud  flesh,  must 
be  touched  with  caustic. 

But  notwithstanding  what  has  been  said  above,  it 
sometimes  happens  that  a  totally  different  course  be- 
comes necessary,  when  abscess  in  the  poll  is  connected 
with  another  disease  arising  from  the  same  vitiated  state 
of  the  animal's  system,  and  the  remedy  for  one  of  these 
will  cure  the  other.  Farcy  is  the  correspondent  disease 
to  which  I  allude,  or  rather  I  shall  say  a  tendency  to 
farcy,  visible  in  certain  scanty  limips  or  tumors  on  the 
body  and  legs ;  these  will  run  off*,  sometimes,  by  means 
of  a  copious  discharge  at  the  poll.  More  frequently, 
however,  the  farcy  is  of  too  inveterate  a  description,  and 


44 

proves  that  the  whole  mass  of  the  animal's  system  re- 
quires correction,  and  that  it  must  be  treated  with  medi- 
cines proper  for  the  farcy,  as  well  as  the  local  affection 
of  the  poll.  See  what  is  said  of  Farcy  in  succeeding 
pages. 

FISTULA  IN  THE  WITHERS. 

Although  closely  rcsembliug  poll-evil  in  so  many  re- 
spects as  to  seem  the  selfsame  disorder,  arising  from 
precisely  the  same  cause,  but  differing  in  situation  only. 
Poll-evil  may  be  produced  without  any  external  vio- 
lence;  fistula  in  the  withers  is  always  brought  on  by 
external  injury,  namely,  the  galling  of  the  saddle.  The 
symptoms  are  most  obvious  to  the  touch,  as  in  all  in- 
flammatory tumors,  the  animal  shrinking  when  the  hand 
is  passed  over  the  shoulder  from  the  mane  downwards. 

Cure.— x\s  soon  as  the  journey  can  be  brought  to  a 
close,  remove  the  cause,  and  bathe  the  part  well  with 
the  following  cold  saturnine  lotion  : 

COLD  LOTION. — Siibacetate  of  lead,  2  ounces;  white  vinegar 
4  ounces  ;  water,  3  quarts.      INlix,  and  apply  with  a  sponge. 

If  not  thus  repelled  in  its  earliest  stages,  suppuration 
must  ensue.  Attend  to  it  in  time,  however,  and  if  heat 
and  inflammation  continue  after  the  above  is  well  appli- 
ed, the  following  must  be  applied  : 

EMBROCATION. — Spirits  of  wine,  half  a  pint;  camphor,  two 
drachms;  extract  of  lead,  one  drachm. 

Mix,  and  apply  the  same  two  or  three  times  a  day,  gen- 
tly rubbing  the  part  each  time  as  much  as  the  animal 
will  bear.     Give  also  the  following,  same  time ; 

ALTERATIVE  BALL. — Aloes,  4  drachms;  calomel,  half  a 
drachm;  add  castile  soap,  half  a  drachm.  Mix  with  mucilage  and 
divide  into  3  balls,  and  given  eveiy  third  day. 

If,  however,  it  should  have  arrived  to  a  state  baflling 
the  above  means  of  carrying  it  off',  it  must  be  drawn  to 
a  head  by  poultices,  and  lanced,  and  insert  a  whalebone 
probe  to  ascertain  the  direction  that  the  fistula  sinuses 
or  pipes  extend,  in  order  that  these  may  be  laid  open, 
and  the  whole  matter  suffered  to  escape.  Then  after 
it  assumes  a  healthy  appearance,  heal  it  in  the  manner 
directed  for  poll-evil.  If  the  scalding  mixture  is  used, 
care  must  be  taken  to  remove  the  matter  that  runs  out 


45 

from  the  wound,  and  not  let  it  touch  the  healthy  part  at 
all,  if  possible. 

Gentian  root  is  employed  to  keep  down  the  swelling 
or  thickening  of  the  lips  of  the  sore.  The  healing  is 
not  to  be  sutfered  to  go  on  too  fast,  nor  until  all  the  of- 
fensive matter  is  expulsed.  Blue  stone  spread  on  the 
digestive  ointment  will  heal  it.     Or  take 

Ointment  of  nitrated  quick  silver,   3  ounces  ;  oil  of  turpentine, 
half  an  ounce. 

Mix,  and  apply  as  long  as  may  be  proper  to  keep  the 
orifice  from  closing,  to  which  it  will  be  ever  too  much 
disposed. 


SADDLE  GALLS,  OR  WARBLES,  SITFASTS. 

The  first  of  these  partake  of  the  nature  of  the  disor- 
der just  above  treated  of,  (fistula,)  and  are  caused  in 
the  same  way  ;  but  are  situated  farther  back,  and  less 
scope  is  allowed  for  the  spreading  of  the  original  tumor. 
Consequently,  the  smallness  of  the  affliction  renders  it 
much  less  formidable,  though  if  suffered  to  suppurate, 
they  become  most  troublesome  sores.  First  try  to  pre- 
vent the  accumulation  of  matter  by  repellants,  such  as- 
the  embrocation  prescribed  in  the  preceding  page,  and 
the  alterative  ball.  Or,  apply,  in  the  same  manner,  the- 
following  : 

Cold  Lotion. — Vinegar,  spirits  of  wine,  each  3  ounces;  super- 
acetate  of  lead,  2  ounces  ;  water  6  ounces.     Mix. 

Should  not  these  succeed,  change  your  treatment, 
bring  the  tumor  forward  by  poultices,  &c.,  the  same  as 
directed  for  fistula  and  poll-evil,  and  cure  in  the  same 
manner. 

SiTFAST  is  an  indurated  tumor,  one  that  has  neither 
matter  nor  motion  in  it,  and  may  arise  from  either  of  two 
causes.  The  first  is  simply  a  gall  or  a  bruise,  which  has 
produced  no  inflammation,  and  consequently  no  matter 
has  been  engendered  ^  the  second  comes  of  an  ill-cured 
warble,  that  has  closed,  leaving  a  hard  insensible  swell- 
ing behind.  Blistering  is  the  favorite  remedy  with  most 
farriers,  though  fomentations  and  poultices  will  fre()uent- 
ly  achieve  as  much  good  in  very  little  more  time.  When 
supupration  takes  place,  the  cure  is  to  be  completed  by 
dressings  of  detergent  ointment,  taking  care  that  tho 


'9-* 
48 

sore  does  not  heal  too  fast.  Should  this  be  the  case 
put  blue  stone,  powdered,  upon  the  plaster  once  or 
twice,  or  merely  touch  it  with  lunar  caustic  as  often. — 
Sometimes  the  callosity  does  not  come  off  of  itself,  tho' 
the  edges  rise  up  :  it  is  then  to  be  taken  away  by  force, 
separating  it  from  the  living  parts  with  the  knife.  The 
small  portion  of  blood  that  comes  away  with  it  does  no 
harm,  but  the  contrary.  If,  however,  any  one  objects 
to  the  knife,  or  doubts  his  skill  in  this  operation,  mercu- 
rial ointment  will  effect  the  same  end,  as  follows : 

Ointment  for  Sit  fast. — Oil  of  tm-pentine,  10  ounces;  blue  oint- 
ment, 8  ounces;  gum  ammoniacum,  4  ounces.  Mix  and  apply  to 
these  and  all  hai'd  tumors. 

QUITTOR  is  a  disease  of  the  foot,  at  the  coronet, 
but  is  so  decidedly  fistulous,  that  I  choose  to  treat  of  it 
in  this  place,  rather  than  in  the  chapter  devoted  to  the 
foot  in  general.  It  is  caused  by  a  tread  which  the  horse 
inflicts  on  himself,  for  the  most  part,  seeing  that  it  gen- 
erally occurs  on  the  inside  of  the  foot.  This  tread  or 
bruise  may  either  be  inflicted  upon  the  coronet,  or  lower 
down,  by  over-reaching,  or  even  at  the  sole  ;  by  taking 
up  a  stone  or  other  hard  substance  ;  also  by  a  prick  or 
blow  in  shoeing.  A  quitter  is  also  sometimes  occa- 
sioned by  gravel  working  up  into  an  aperture  left  by  an 
old  nail,  actinii  upon  the  sensible  laminatetl  .«;ubstance, 
separating  it  from  the  insensible,  leaving  a  cavity  from 
the  aperture  up  to  the  coronet,  where  it  lodges,  inflames, 
and  produces  abscess,  which  is  very  troublesome  and 
difficult  to  cure. 

Cure. — The  sore  is  always  very  small,  but  admits  of 
a  probe  being  introduced,  by  which  the  extent  of  the 
evil  may  be  ascertained,  and  this  is  generally  very  ex- 
tensive and  ruinous,  according  to  the  time  it  may  have 
been  allowed  to  make  head.  The  probe  will  pass  read- 
ily forward  and  backward  to  the  whole  course  of  the  dis- 
ease, and  sometimes  it  will  be  found  to  have  penetrated 
to  the  cofiin  bone,  every  where  forming  sinuses  or  pipes, 
as  in  fistula  of  the  withers  before  described.  In  slight 
cases,  those  which  are  found  not  to  have  penetrated 
deep,  the  simple  application  of  a  wash  will  prove  suffi- 
cient, and  may  be  employed  in  this  manner :  Dissolve 
blue  vitrol  in  water,  and  charge  a  syringe  therewith  ;  thia 


is  to  be  discharged  into  the  orifice,  and  suffered  to  re  -^ 
main,  as  much  as  can  be  retained.     A  pouhice  of  bread 
or  oat  meal  is  to  cover  the  part,   and  the  cure  will  be 
completed  after  two  or  three  days. 

But  unfortunately  fur  the  owner  and  the  animal,  the 
disease  is  seldom  taken  in  hand  thus  early,  but  is  suffer- 
ed to  proceed  until  much  stronger  means  become  ne- 
cessary. For  this  purpose  take  a  long  narrow  slip  of 
thin  paper,  and  moisten  it  with  muriate  of  antimony ; 
over  this  sirew  powdered  corrosive  sublimate,  and  roll 
up  the  paper,  so  that  it  may  not  be  too  big  for  the  pipe 
which  it  is  intended  tor.  Generally  it  happens  that  the 
opening  requires  to  be  enlarged  before  this  pledget  so 
charged  with  the  escharotic,  can  be  fairly  introduced. — 
Take  especial  care  that  the  pledget  reach  the  bottom  of 
the  pipe,  cut  it  off  close,  and  pass  a  similar  one  into  as 
many  sinuses  as  may  have  been  ascertained  forms  the 
disease.  As  considerable  irritation  of  the  part  will 
quickly  ensue, a  poultice  sufficient  to  cover  the  foot  sho'ld 
be  previously  got  ready,  and  applied  immediately. 

In  three  or  four  days,  the  bandage  being  removed,  the 
diseased  parts  wdl  slow  off,  a  considerable  opening  pre- 
sents itself  leaving  a  healthy  looking  sore.  Let  this  be 
sponged  off  with  warm  water,  and  when  dry  apply  tinc- 
ture of  Benjamin,  which  will  effect  a  cure.  A  solution 
of  white  vitrei  is  used  with  advantage,  especially  when 
a  disposition  to  secrete  unhealthy  matter  is  at  any  time 
perceptible.  Physic  the  patient  after  the  operation,  ac- 
cordino^  to  the  actual  state  of  his  bowels,  the  motion 
whereof  will  alleviate  the  pain  necessarily  attending  the 
escharotic  quallity  of  the  pledgets  apphed  to  the  foot. 
If  the  horse's  bowels  be  found  in  the  ordinary  state,  give 
two  balls  on  successive  days,  thus  : 

First  Alterative  Ball. — Aloes  and  hard  soap,  2  or  3  drachms: 
oil  of  cloves,  6  drops:  calomel,  4  dx"achms. 

Second. — Aloes  4  or  5  drachms  ;  soap,  6  drachms  ;  oil  of  ajiia- 
seed,  10  drops. 

Mix  with  mucilage  sufficient  to  form  a  ball  of  each 
for  two  doses ;  give  No.  2  the  day  succeeding  No.  1. 


YIVES. — This  is  a  turn  given  to  swellings  of  the 
glands  just  under  the  ear,  towards  the  angle  of  the  jaw, 

d2 


48 

that  mostly  attack  young  animals.  Nevertheless  it 
sometimes  attacks  horses  at  an  advanced  age.  Swell- 
ings similar  are  common  in  shedding  the  teeth  ;  but  they 
are  not  the  vives.  In  some  respects  this  disorder  bears 
a  near  affinity  to  the  strangleij.  The  cause  of  Yives 
may  be  distinctly  pronounced  a  *'cold,"  that  prolific 
source  of  many  other  disorders. 

Symptoms. — Svvellings  under  both  ears,  generally, 
that  occasion  manifest  pain  when  touched  ;  the  animal 
coughs  more  than  one  which  has  the  strangles,  and  a 
difficulty  of  swallowing  soon  becomes  evident.  Stiff- 
ness or  aridity  of  the  neck  follows,  and  the  patient 
makes  frequent  efforts  to  swallow  the  saliva,  which  it  is 
the  proper  function  of  these  glands  to  secrete,  but  which 
they  are  soon  disabled  from  doing ;  and  as  they  now  re- 
fuse to  perform  this  office,  the  watery  humors  flow  from 
out  the  animals  eyes,  which  he  partly  closes ;  inflam- 
mation of  the  mouth  and  gums  next  takes  place,  produ- 
cing the  Mampers,'  which  are  noticed  separately,  and  fi- 
nally they  terminate  in  "strangles"  and  are  to  be  treated 
as  such.  But  timely  attention,  'tvill  remove  them  before 
they  terminate  in  either  the  'lampers'  or  ^strangles.' 

Remedy. — Foment  the  part  with  warm  water,  and  af- 
ter it  has  been  well  dried,  clothe  the  head  so  as  to  keep 
off  the  air,  upon  the  principle  of  'remove  the  cause  and 
the  effect  will  cease.'  Follow  it  up  with  fomentations 
of  marsh  mallows,  or  annoint  the  parts  with  ointment  of 
marshmaiiows,  and  cover  the  head  as  before.  A  bread 
poultice  affords  relief,  and  bleeding  in  stubborn  cases  of 
simple  vives  is  often  necessary,  with  purgatives.  In- 
deed, the  body  should  be  opened,  whether  we  bleed  or 
no  :  always  leave  open  the  main  road  for  such  humors 
to  escape  by.  To  assist  nature,  however,  employ  the 
following 

Lotion. — Sal  ammoniac,  half  an  ounce ;  vinegar,  6  ounces ;  Gou- 
lard's extract,  1  ounce.     Mix,  and  rub  the  parts  well  twice  a  day. 

Low  diet,  a  plentiful  supply  of  water  gruel,  and  bran 
mashes,  to  which  an  ounce  of  nitre  may  be  added  daily, 
will  reduce  that  thickened  state  of  the  blood  which  ever 
attends  these  species  of  tumor. 

But  when  the  vives  are  likely  to  supurate,  all  attempts 
to  drive  them  off  through  the  system,  as  directed  abovA, 
must  be  avoided,  and  the  direct  contrary  course  must  be 


pursued,  to  draw  it  to  a  head  and  remove  the  offensirt 
matter  as  soon  as  possible,  in  the  same  manner  as  direc- 
ted for  all  other  abscess  mentioned  before,  not  dieting  or 
reducing  the  horse.  The  degree  of  heat  and  inflam- 
mation increasing  in  spite  of  the  fomentations,  &c.  will 
soon  indicate  whether  suppuration  will  take  place  or  not. 
Indeed,  that  should  if  possible  be  known  in  the  first  in- 
stance. 

False  vives,  or  imperfect  ones,  that  are  hard  and  in- 
sensible, sometimes  cause  a  good  deal  of  trouble.  They 
neither  come  forward  nor  recede,  nor  cause  pain,  but 
are  an  eye-sore  and  injure  the  sale.  Stimulating  em- 
brocations are  well  calculated  for  reduaing  these  hard 
tumors,  and  the  blistering  oiiitment,  made  of  cantharidea 
and  oil;  never  fails. 

LAMPERS,  OR  LAMPAS. 

Symptoms. — A  swelling  of  the  bars  of  the  mouth  fol- 
lows the  rising  vigor  and  heat  of  the  animal  ;  they  then 
project  below  the  surface  of  the  teeth,  and  interfere  be- 
tween them  while  feeding.  The  pain  is  necessarily  very 
great  on  feeding,  and  the  animal  ceases  to  chew  of  a 
sudden ;  it  afterwards  commences  anew,  with  greater 
caution  ,  but  as  the  disorder  becomes  worse,  it  refuses 
food  entirely,  and  starvation  would  be  the  consequence 
if  something  did  not  intervene  which  is  always  sure  to 
happen. 

The  cure  would  be  effected  of  itself,  if  the  horse 
lived  in  a  state  of  nature,  or  more  probably  in  that  stata 
he  never  would  contract  the  disease.  Overgorging 
and  consequent  fulness  of  habit  having  occasioned  the 
blood  to  flow  luxuriantly  towards  the  region  of  the  head 
and  throat,  so  that  the  disorder  is  thereby  produced,  the 
reduction  of  that  full  habit  follows  this  compulsory  ab- 
stemiousness which  the  afHicted  animal  practices  much 
against  his  will,  and  might  teach  man  himself  a  monitory 
lesson  he  is  usually  slow  in  attending  to  until  too  late. 
Reducing  the  system  is  the  neatest  method  of  removing 
lampas,  and  purgatives  should  be  employed ;  bran 
mashes,  in  which  an  ounce  of  nitre  daily  has  been  intro- 
duced, may  also  be  given  until  the  pulse  becomes  more 
natural.  If  the  lampas  be  not  lessened,  by  these  means, 
the  projecting  part  is  to  be  cut  with  a  lancet,  but  some 
people  commence  operations  with  tho  searing  iion,  aa 


50 

the  readiest  way,  and  give  physic  aflerward;!.    This  ap- 
phcatiou  never  mils. 

STRANGLES. 

Symptoms. — A  swelling  commences  between  the  up- 
per part  of  tho  two  juw-bones,  or  a  little  lower  down  to- 
wards ihs  chin,  and  directly  underneath  the  tongue.  A 
cough,  and  the  discharge  of  a  white  thick  matter  from 
the  nostrils  Ibllow,  with  great  heat,  pain,  and  tension  of 
the  tumors,  and  of  all  the  adjacent  membranes,  to  such 
a  degree  that  the  animal  can  scarcely  swallow.  The 
eyes  send  forth  a  watery  humor,  and  the  animal  nearly 
closes  the  lid  ;  this  is  mostly  the  case  when  it  happens 
that  the  two  larger  glands  under  the  ear  are  affected  also 
which  frequently  happens  ;  but  when  these  latter  are  dis- 
ordered Vv'ithout  the  nnimal  having  the  strangles,  we  then 
say  he  has  the  vives.  The  .swelling  increases  and  usu- 
ally bursts  of  itself,  sometimes  without  being  perceived 
by  any  one.  This  last  happens  to  colts  and  fillies  at 
gras6,  when  their  wants  are  little  attended  to,  and  they 
seldom  fail  of  doing  Vv^ell.  Attacks  in  the  open  air  aro 
milder  than  those  obstinate  cases  we  meet  v/ith  among 
in-door  cattle,  'i  he  horses  that  are  kept  in-doors  accu- 
mulate gioss  humors,  by  living  on  dry  food  and  lying 
on  soft  beds,  without  sufRcicnt  exercise  to  carry  off  the 
effects  of  either. 

Frequently,  the  feverish  symptoms  run  high,  loss  of 
appetite  follows  with  constipation  of  (he  bowels,  the 
horse  can  neither  drink  nor  eat,  and  the  pulse  increases. 
The  tumors  in  these  bad  cases  will  bo  found  to  have  ris- 
en nearer  the  jaw-bone  than  they  do  in  a  mild  attack, 
and  are  longer  in  coming  to  maturity  than  those  which 
begin  more  towards  the  middle.  The  disorder  is  seldom 
fatal  ;  but  when  this  does  happen,  the  animal  dies  of  suf- 
focation, in  which  case  it  stands  with  the  nose  thrust  out, 
the  nostrils  distended  ;  the  breathing  is  then  exceeding 
laborious  and  difficult,  and  accompanied  by  rattling  in 
the  throat. 

Cure. — For  this  last  mentioned  extreme  case,  no  oth- 
er remedy  is  found  than  making  an  opening  in  the  wind- 
pipe, through  which  the  animal  may  breathe.  For  this 
spirited  operation,  I  must  refer  to  Mr.  Field,  the  vete- 
fiUi^vy  surgion,  who  has  performed  it  frequently,  and  says 


51 

hia  practice  was  to  cut  an  aperture  the  size  of  a  guinea, 
which  nature  afterwards  suppHes  in  due  time.  With 
this  exception,  perhaps,  I  might  be  justified  in  saying 
that  we  have  htlle  or  no  business  to  meddle  with  the 
strangles;  unless,  indeed,  unfavorable  symptoms  arise, 
and  the  previous  habits  of  the  horse,  his  present  fleshy 
or  gross  habit  of  body,  with  the  unfavorable  situation  of 
the  tumors  near  the  bone,  give  good  reason  for  believing 
that  the  disease  will  turn  out  a  dangerous  case.  And 
yet  I  should  be  very  loth  to  recommend  purging  or  that 
of  bleeding  for  strangles,  as  I  have  seen  done  with  no 
good  effect ;  for,  although  the  symptoms  are  thereby 
lowered,  yet  the  continuance  of  the  disorder  is  protract- 
ed to  an  unmeasurable  length,  and  I  have  heard  of  the 
strangles  devolving  into  glanders  by  this  course  of  pro- 
ceeding. 

On  the  contrary,  the  disorder  being  constitutional,  that 
is  to  say,  an  effort  of  nature  to  relieve  itself  of  some 
noxious  matters,  the  strength  of  the  animal  system 
should  be  sustained  in  some  degree  proportioned  to  what 
it  may  obviously  require.  Therefore,  horses  that  may 
be  in  g-ood  condition  at  the  time  of  the  attack,  and  with- 
al highly  feverish  and  full  of  corn,  will  only  require  open- 
ing medicine  whilst  a  brisk  purgative  might  do  harm 
by  lessoning  the  access  of  matter  to  the  tumor,  and  the 
system  would  still  retain  a  portion  of  the  oflfensive  causa 
of  disease,  which  would  break  forth  at  a  future  period  in 
some  one  or  other  part  of  the  correspondent  diseases, 
dependant  on  tubercular  affections.  In  this  case  give 
the  following : 

MILD  PURGATIVE  BALL,— Aloes,  3  drachms,  and  Castilo 
Soap,  3  drachms,  and  Ginger,  1  scruple.  Mix,  with  Mucilage  to 
foi'm  a  ball. 

If  difficulty  of  swallowing  is  already  observed,  a  drench 
would  be  found  the  most  desirable  form  of  arriving  at 
the  same  end.     Then  give  the  following  ; 

LAXATIVE  DRENCH.— Castor  Oil,  6  ounces;  water  gruel, 
1  quart;  salts,  6  ounces.     Mix. 

Meanwhile  at  the  first  appearance  of  the  disorder,  let 
the  hair  be  clipped  off  close  at  the  part  affected,  and  a 
little  way  round,  to  allow  of  greater  effect  from  any  ap- 
plication that  maybe  deemed  necessary.  The  head  be- 
ing clothed  will  restore  as  much  warmth  as  hath  hereby 


52 

been  abridged.  Mild  cases  will  require  no  more  than 
this,  prol)ably,  and  the  assistance  of  a  poultice  and  fo- 
mentation ofmarshmallows,  daily,  to  the  throat,  to  bring 
the  ^wel.in^  to  a  [iroper  slate  lor  opening.  This  will  be 
shown  by  its  pointing  or  becoming  soft  and  peaked  in 
the  middle.  IJut  a  premature  employment  of  the  lan- 
cet is  to  be  avoided,  to  give  time  for  the  whole  rnattey 
to  collect ;  when  this  peiiod  arrives,  the  whole  swelling 
will  be  soft  and  yielding  to  pressure,  unless  the  animal 
have  a  very  thick  skin,  with  a  great  chuckle-head.  In 
these  cases,  the  i)art  should  be  rubbed  with  a  stimula- 
ting liniment,  and  if  the  tumor  is  working  its  way  in- 
wards so  as  to  threaten  suffocation,  blistering  ointment 
may  be  applied.  After  each  and  either  of  these  appli- 
cations, the  poultice  is  to  be  again  put  on  with  care ;  and 
as  much  of  its  efficacy  depends  upon  its  remaining  in 
contact  with  the  throat,  the  adjusting  of  k  property  re- 
quires great  pains  and  some  adroitness  for  the  thing. 

STIMULATING  LINIxMENT.— Mustard,  powdered,- 1  ounce  r 
liquid  ammoaia,  3  drajhins.  iMix,_  and  apply  assidiuusly  to  the 
part. 

The  suppuration  may  be  further  prompted  by  steam- 
ing the  head  over  warm  water,  or  fumigating  it  as  fol- 
lows ;  give  him  bran  mashes  frequently,  placing  the 
vessel  that  contains  this,  well  secured,  in  another  vessel 
larger  than  the  first,  into  which  much  hotter  water  can 
be  introduced,  so  that  the  vapor  may  rise  up  all  round 
the  mash,  and  constantly  envelope  the  head.  When  the 
tumor  is  a;scertained  to  be  ripe,  and  not  before,  and  open- 
ing is  made  at  its  most  depending  part,  and  the  matter 
expressed  gently  ;  wash  it  ofT  clean  with  warm  water, 
and  if  the  sore  appear  healthy,  it  will  heal  spontaneously, 
or  with  the  application  of  adhesive  plaster. 

DIGESTIVE  OINTMENT,  No.  1.— Yclow  Avax,  rosin,  Bur- 
gundy pitch,  of  each  1  pound;  turpentine,  4  ounces;  linseed  oil,  20 
ounces.     Dissolve  over  a  slow  fire. 

Strangles  of  the  gullet. — Sometimes  we  find 
those  symptoms  of  the  strangles  reduced  to  one  only, 
viz.  an  obstinate  running  at  the  nose,  which  usually 
lasts  a  long  time,  and  occasionally  ends  fatally,  by  the 
animal  wasted  away  in  pulmonary  consumption.  Many 
people  mistake  this  disorder  for  glanders,  but  it  may  be 
distinguished  from  that  con'agion  by  a  rattling  in  the  gul- 


53 

let ;  also  by  the  quality  of  the  running,  which  is  neither 
so  white  nor  of  so  much  consistency,  but  watery  and 
curdled.  The  animal  scarcely  ever  is  troubled  with  a 
coutrh,  and  then  it  is  very  feeble,  but  to  make  up  for  this 
exhibits  frequent  contractions  of  the  larynx. 

After  the  tumor  is  opened,  give  gentle  physic,  for 
which  purpose,  the  following  laxative  ball  is  recommen- 
ded ;  or  you  may  add  thereto,  one  drachm  of  emetic 
tartar,  and  give  another  ball  after  an  interval  of  one  day, 
unless  the  pulse  is  low : 

MILD  PURGATIVE  BALL,— Aloe?,  3  drachms,  and  Castile 
soap,  3  drachms,  and  ginger,!  scruple.  Mix,  with  mucilage  to  fonn 
a  ball. 

Bastard  Strangles  is  a  favorite  term  witli  some 
persons,  who  would  soften  down  the  real  fact  of  their 
horses  having  the  glanders,  which  it  really  is,  and  not 
stranirles.  But  bastard  or  not  bastard,  it  is  alvvavs  in- 
fectious,  and  the  animal  always  dies  of  strangulation, 
or  the  disorder  becomes  the  glanders,  producing  a  sani- 
ous  discharge  from  the  nose  when  the  cough  ceases. — 
Apply  fumigation. 

FUMIGATION. — Tako  the  leaves  and  root  of  marsh  mallows, 
an  arm  full,  with  6  quarts  of  water. 

Boil  them,  and  put  the  whole  into  a  nose  bag,  and  hang 
it  round  the  head  of  the  animal,  to  make  him  inhale  the 
steam.  The  bag  may  be  made  of  stout  cloth,  but  hung 
with  the  upper  part  quite  open,  to  avoid  suflbcation. — 
Leave  the  bag  at  the  animal's  nose  until  no  more  steam 
will  arise.  This  will  be  found  a  very  proper  remedy  in 
all  cases  of  strangles,  the  first  stage  of  glanders,  and 
obstinate  colds. 


GLANDERS  is  a  contagious  disease  only  when  it 
has  lasted  some  time.  Original  glander  may  be  acquired 
by  horses  being  shut  up  close  together,  in  hot  damp 
stables,  in  swampy  situations. 

A  sudden  transition  from  cold  air  to  a  hot  stable,  as 
well  as  from  heat  to  cold,  will  occasion  a  running  at  the 
nose  ,  or  a  blow  there,  as  well  as  a  drench  clumsily  ad- 
ministered ;  either  of  those  causes  being  foreknown, 
should  render  us  cautious  in  pronouncing  the  running 
contagious,  and  thus  subject  the  property  to  destruction. 


54 

Almost  any  running,  from  whatever  cause  proceeding, 
or  however  healthy  the  previous  state  of  the  animal's 
system,  causes  the  glands  to  enlarge  and  inflame  ;  after 
a  while,  if  remaining  uncured,  they  usually  adhere  to  the 
bone,  when  alone  we  should  pronounce  the  glanders 
contagious  and  incurable.  This  is  "  the  second  species" 
of  La  Fosse,  which  may  be  communicated  to  other  hor- 
ses, by  contact,  or  by  breathing  the  same  air  in  the 
same  stable ;  though  it  does  not  appear  until  eight  or 
ten  days  after  the  infection,  in  the  enlargement  of  the 
gland,  accompanied  by  running.  The  third  species  is 
caused  by  farcy  being  in  the  system  ;  the  running  at  the 
nose  and  swelling  of  the  glands  are  then  symptomatic 
of  farcy,  and  must  be  treated  as  such.  What  inference 
is  to  be  drawn  from  all  those  premises,  but  that  we 
should  endeavor  to  ascertain  the  length  of  time  the  pa- 
tient has  been  afflicted  ;  whether  he  has  received  any 
external  injury  to  cause  it,  or  he  has  been  in  contact 
with  infected  horses,  and  when? — and  out  of  the  an- 
swers hereto,  we  form  the  resolution  of  condemning  the 
animal  to  solitary  keeping,  at  least,  and  settling  about 
the  remedies  that  are  likely  to  restore  him  to  health. — 
Crowded  towns,  posting  stables,  and  the  like,  are  most 
subject  to  contain  glandered  horses,  on  account  of  their 
closeness,  and  the  frequent  succession  of  inmates  to 
which  they  are  liable  ;  for  some  horses  will  bear  it  for  a 
good  number  of  years,  the  discharge  almost  subsiding 
(though  the  swelling  of  the  glands  remains,)  upon  chan- 
ging to  country  quarters,  or  to  a  succession  of  regular 
living  and  regular  work. 

Symptoms. — No  cough  accompanies  real  glanders  in 
any  of  its  stages  ;  and  this  though  a  negative  piece  of 
information,  shall  be  taken  as  a  good  and  safe  criterion 
that  must  not  be  neglected ;  a  running  may  make  its 
appearance,  as  it  does  at  the  left  nostril  usually,  in  the 
glanders,  and  the  glands  under  the  jaw  may  adhere  to 
the  bone,  as  they  do  in  real  glanders,  but  no  cough  ac- 
companies these  symptoms  of  glanders.  When  cough 
supervenes,  the  disease  may  be  a  catarrh,  or  a  consump- 
tion, the  asthma,  or  strangles,  but  these  are  not  conta- 
gious, unless  they  last  a  long  time,  and  adhesion  of  the 
glands  takes  place  :  in  these  last  mentioned  disorders, 
ihe  discharge  commonly  pror.erds  from  both  nostriU 


65 

alike  ;  whereas,  the  running  in  incipient  glanders  fei- 
chiefly  contined  to  the  left,  and  the  gland  of  one  sid© 
only  is  ihen  affected.  Of  eight  hundred  case^of  glan- 
ders that  came  under  the  notice  of  M.  Dupuy^.only  one 
horse  was  affected  in  the  right  nostiil. 

As  the  disorder  proceeds,  it  affects  both  sides  alike. 
Ulcers  appear  all  over  {he  piluilnry  membrane,  occa- 
sioned by  ihe  corrosive  nature  of  the  discharge.  This 
assumes  a  different  appearance  as  the  constitution  of  the 
individual  m-iy  have  l)«en  more  or  less  gross  or  vitiated  ; 
the  appe;uance  or  quality  of  the  discharge  differs  also, 
accordmg  to  the  manner  in  which  the  disease  may  have 
been  acquired  ;  that  is,  whether  it  has  been  engendered 
or  caught  by  infection.  If  it  come  of  the  first  mention- 
ed, through  a  depraved  system,  the  glands  are  harder, 
often  smaller,  and  always  adhere  closer,  than  in  those 
cases  which  are  derived  from  infection,  at  a  time  when 
the  animal  is  otherwise  in  comparatively  good  health.— 
Again,  with  the  infected  horse,  the  matter  comes  off  co- 
piously ;  it  is  curdled,  and  may  be  rubbed  to  powder 
between  the  fingers  when  dry. 

Rcinedij. — Unless  taken  at  an  early  period,  no  reme- 
dy has  been  found  to  relieve  the  afflicted  animal.  As 
sojn  as  a  horse  is  suspected  of  glanders,  he  must  bo 
kept  separate  from  all  oihers,  and  the  fumigation  direct- 
ed in  page  54,  should  be  resorted  to  repeatedly,  and  a 
purgative  or  alterative  ball  may  be  given,  according  to 
the  state  of  his  body,  and  ihe  remedies  prescribed  for 
catarrh,  continued  for  a  week  or  ten  days.  If  the  disor- 
der does  not  lessen  in  this  time,  but  the  symptoms  in- 
crease in  virulence,  the  horse  must  be  destroyed. 

Stables  ihar  have  been  occupied  by  glandered  hor?e«, 
retain  a  louir  time  ihe  taint,  and  the  means  of  communi- 
cating the  disorder,  which  nothing  will  remove  but  wash- 
ing with  soap  and  sand,  and  scraping  with  sharp  instru- 
menls,  every  part  of  the  rack,  and  all  other  things  that 
may  have  ccme  in  contact  with  the  diseased  horse. 


FARCY,  is  caused  hy  a  general  bad  state  of  the 
blood,  vulgarly,  but  more  appropriately  tcrm&d  corrup- 
tion of  all  the  humors  of  the  body. 
E 


66 

Si/m2Jtoms,—ln  the  first  place,  the  skin  tight  and  drf^ 
for  want  of  perspiration,  when  eome  swelhng  is  perceiv' 
able  about  the  hind  legs,  and  on  the  insides  particularly. 
This  symptom  increases  to  a  considerable  large  size  in 
the  course  of  a  night,  when  the  genial  heat  of  the  ani- 
mal's system,  appear  to  have  matured  the  disease.  The 
lymphatic  vessels  and  the  more  perfect  glands,  that  run 
in  the  same  direction  as  the  veins,  rise  above  the  sur- 
face ;  and  it  is  easy  to  be  seen  that  they  are  sore  when 
touched,  the  glands  in  particular,  which  feel  hot,  light^ 
and  hard  at  first,  similarly  to  the  glands  of  the  throaty 
as  described  in  the  glanders.  A  few  hours  confirm  the 
exact  nature  of  the  mischief;  the  inflammation  of  those 
glands  proceeds,  they  become  softer,  and  each  throws 
out  an  ichorous,  unhealthy  discharge^  They  are  then, 
termed  farcy  buds.  The  edges  have  a  chancrous  ap^ 
pearance,  which  is  not  possible  to  heal  with  ointments.. 
As  the  disease  advances,  a  glanderous  running  at  the 
nose  takes  place,  with  swelling  about  the  nose,  lips,  and 
all  over  the  body  nearly. 

Cure. — Three  stages  of  the  disorder  present  as  many 
methods  of  cure.  In  the  first  instance  when  the  glands 
only  are  affected,  it  may  be  treated  as  a  local  disorderj. 
which  has  not  yet  found  its  way  into  the  animal's  sys- 
tem ;  and  if  appearing  on  one  limb  only,  the  natural  in- 
ference is,  that  the  system  is  indisposed  to  carry  on  tha 
threatened  evil.  This  happens  mostly  to  horses  in  good 
condition,  strong  and  vigorous,  and  of  good  habit.  The 
limb  affected  is  mostly  (not  always,)  the  fore  leg,  which 
is  generally  so  to  a  good  extent,  and  the  corded  veins 
scarcely  visible.  In  this  case,  give  a  purgative  ball,  and 
repeat  it  in  three  days  after ;  but  should  the  animal  be 
a  very  ffeshy  one,  and  full  of  condition,  with  full  pulse^ 
this  may  be  accompanied  by  bleeding  to  the  amount  of 
three  or  four  quarts. 

PURGATIVE  BALL Aloes,  eight  drachms ;,  Castile  soap,  1 

drachm  ;  Liquorice  powder  sufficient  to  form  a  ball  for  one  dose. 

Prepare  the  animal  with  bran  mashes  ;  let  his  drink  bo 
chilled,  and  he  may  be  moved  about,  under  shelter,  with 
body  clothing  on  that  covers  the  affected  limb.  Th© 
limb  should  be  fomented  with  warm  water,  or  the  cham- 
omile decoction,  taking  care  to  rub  the  part  dry,  and 


57 

Wrap  it  up  warm.  This  course  usually  prevails  against 
an  ordinary  attack  of  farcy ;  and  the  cure  is  aided,  when 
it  affects  the  fore  leg  only,  by  a  rowel  inserted  under  the 
chest.  But  the  absorption  or  taking  up  of  the  disorder 
into  the  system  and  carrying  it  off  by  stool,  is  by  far  the 
neatest  manner  of  managing  the  cure  ;  for  ihis  purpose, 
give  the  following  ball,  after  the  animal  has  been  redu- 
ced by  the  foregoing  treatment. 

ALTERATIVE  BALL. — Camphor,  emetic  tartar,  asafostida, 
and  ginger,  of  each  one  drachm. 

With  mucilage  sufficient  to  form  a  ball  for  one  dose. 
Give  one  of  these  for  three  successive  nights  ;  then 
fitop  one  night  between  each  dose,  until  the  disease  is 
removed. 

If  these  efforts  to  absorb  the  disease  prove  insufficient 
to  conquer  it,  recourse  must  be  had  to  the  use  of  mercu- 
ry, as  recommended  for  the  third  or  most  virulent  stage 
of  the  disease,  which  is  also  the  most  common  of  the 
three.  Meantime,  we  come  to  consider  of  that  partio- 
ular  kind  of  farcy  v/hich  is  the  least  common  of  all  three; 
and  this  is  wherein  the  tumors  are  larger  than  usually 
happens,  and  not  so  numerous.  The  disease  then  per- 
iakes  very  much  of  the  nature  of  critical  abscess,  and 
of  the  strangles,  both  of  which  are  treated  of  in  the 
preceeding  pages;  they  appear  to  cause  nature  to  make 
efforts  toTelieve  itself  of  an  accumulation  of  offensive 
matter  ;  and  this  escaping  the  cure  is  effected.  In  this 
i5econd  kind  or  stage  of  farcy,  nothing  more  is  requi- 
site than  to  promote  suppuration,  as  directed  in  the  dis- 
ease just  referred  to,  and  follow  it  with  the  physic  pre- 
scribed for  the  strufjles. 

The  T/ii}d,  most  common  and  virulent  kind  of  far- 
cy, that  which  comes  on  quickest,  lasts  the  longest, 
and  requires  the  most  powerful  means  for  its  removal, 
is  that  which  is  spread  minutely  over  the  body  and  limbs, 
and  has  penetrated  the  whole  system.  In  which  ever 
manner  the  animal  may  have  acquired  the  disorder,  we 
may  safely  presume  that  the  mass  of  humours  hideously 
depraved,  &  mercury,  in  one  or  other  of  its  varied  forms 
is  the  only  antidote  to  be  relied  upon  for  its  extinction. 
Previously,  however,  the  farcy  buds  and  ulcers  must  he 
reduced  to  the  state  of  common  sores,  by  means  of  the 


68* 

actual  cautery  freely  applied  to  each.  When  these- 
•lough  off,  and  the  sores  assume  a  healthy  appearance, 
less  of  the  mercurial  preparation  will  be  required  ;  but 
if  these  retain  a  livid  and  therefore  unhealthy  hue,  ac- 
companied with  a  poisonous  discharge,  that  ulcerates 
the  adjacent  parts,  a  thorough  course  of  mercury  is 
the  only  remedy,  and  this  must  be  managed  with 
caution. 

MERCURIAL  BALL,  No.  l.—.^thiop's  mineral,  2  drachms ;. 
opium,  10  grains;  liquorice  powdtr  and  mucilage  to  form  a  ball 
for  one  dose. 

(rive  twice  a  day,  until  the  patient's  brealh  smells  very 
offensive,  aad  ihen  discontinue  the  medicine  a  day  or 
two,  as  you  should  also  when  the  animal  is  found  to 
stale  inordinately,  or  the  bowels  be  very  much  disor- 
dered. But  when  the  bowels  are  only  .^lightly  affected, 
increase  the  quantity  of  opium  to  twenty  or  thirty 
grains. 

MERCURIAL  BALL,  No.  2. — Corrosive  sublimate,  10  gi*ains^ 
emetic  tar tni-,  and  opivim,  half  a  drachm  each. 

Mix,  with  liquorice  powder  and  mucilage  sufRcient  to 
form  the  ball  for  one  dose.  Give  as  befoio  night  and 
■morning. 

Feed  the  patient  generously  durin^j  the  operation  of 
this  strong  medicine,  watch  its  progress  closely,  and 
lessen  the  quantity,  or  discontinue  it  al'ogcihcr  for  a  day 
or  two  when  he  is  greatly  agitated  wiihin,  pailictilaily 
if  a  kind  of  sickness  or  gurglng  be  discernable,  and 
the  horse  is  off  his  appetite.  Let  him  be  clothed  com- 
pletely. Mah  mashss,  boiled  grain,  and  coarse  sugar 
mixed  with  his  grain,  dry,  are  good  as.-istants  to  the 
proper  operation  of  the  meinury.  Turnips,  carrots, 
&c.,  are  at  war  with  its  opeiation,  and  on  that  account 
should  not  be  used. 


ANTICOR,  consists  of  an  inHamed  swelling  near 
the  heart,  and  is  caused  by  full  feecHng  without  suffi- 
cient exercise,  similarly  to  this  whole  train  of  disor- 
ders just  treated  of,— hard  driving  or  riding,  and  a 
subsequent  exposure  to  the  elements,  or  giving  co'^ 
water  when  overheated  ;  these  combined,  with  a  vitia- 
ted state  of  th©  blood,  produce  those  extended  swell- 


59 

inga  that  partake  some  of  the  nature  of  swelled  limbs 
in  grease,  and  yet  lerminnte  in  abscess  when  the  case 
is  a  bad  one. 

Symptoms. — An  enlargement  of  the  breast,  which 
sometimes  extends  upwards  to  the  throat,  and  threat- 
ens suffocation.  The  animal  appears  stiff  about  the 
neck,  looks  dull  and  drooping,  refuses  his  food,  and 
trembles  or  shivers  with  the  inflammation,  which  may 
be  felt.  Pulse  dull  and  uneven.  By  pressing  two  or 
more  fingers  alternately,  the  existence  of  matter,  or 
a  disposition  to  suppurate,  may  be  ascertained,  [as  in 
poll-evil, J  by  its  receding  from  side  to  side  as  the 
pressure  is  withdrawn.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the 
disease  owes  its  origin  to  dropsy,  each  pressure  of  the 
finger  will  remain  pitted  a  few  seconds  after  tlie 
finger  is  withdrawn.  Consult  "  Poll-evil,"  in  its  two 
stages. 

Cure. — As  in  other  cases  of  tumor,  that  do  not 
partake  of  critical  abscess  after  fever,  &c.  this  disor- 
der admits  of  being  repressed,  readily  by  the  means 
before  prescribed,  or  of  being  otherwise  cured,  as  it 
may  be  allied  to  somo  disorder  of  the  constitution. — 
To  repress  the  swelling,  bleed  the  patient  copiously  ; 
give  purgatives,  and  clyster  him  ;  give  bran  mashes, 
and  Jet  the  chill  be  taken  off  his  water.  Foment  the 
throat  and  breast  with  bran  mash  or  marsh  mallows 
every  4  or  6  hours  ;  and  when  these  have  reduced 
the  symptoms,  give  the  following 

ALTERATIVE  BALL. — Emetic  tartar,  two  drachms ;  Venica 
turpentine,  half  an  ounce.  Mix  with  Liquoi-ice  powder  to  form  a 
ball. 

Give  one  every  forty-eight  hours.  On  the  contrary, 
if  the  swelling  depend  upon  dropsy,  as  aforesaid,  let 
a  fleam  or  horse  lancet  be  struck  into  the  skin  at  four 
or  five  places  distant  from  each  other,  and  in  the  low- 
est and  most  depending  part  of  the  swelling.  From 
these  punctures,  a  watery  discharge  will  take  p'acc, 
that  relieves  the  patient  of  his  affliction  hourly,  and 
the  issue  of  matter  is  to  be  promoted  by  keeping  open 
the  sores  as  directed  in  case  of  fistula,  in  a  preceding 
page;  again,  when  the  swelling  indicates  the  collec- 
tion of  morbid  matter,  let  it  be  fomented,  poulticed, 
and  opened,  ai  directed  for  critical  abscegs,  in  polU 
e2 


60 

evjl,  fistula,  &c.  ;  the  whole  series  of  those  diseases 
are  of  the  same  nature,  but  differing  principally  as  to 
situation,  which  some  times  affects  ibe  disease  mainly. 
In  this  case,  for  example,  the  swelling  sometimes 
ascends  along  the  throat,  and  goes  nigh  to  choke  the 
patient;  recourse  must  be  had  immediately  to  poulti- 
ces, and  let  these  be  changed  twice  a  day. 


GREASE  is  another  of  the  diseases  that  take  their 
rise  in  a  tardy  circulation  of  the  blood,  and  consequent 
indisposition  to  take  up  and  carry  back  again  to  the 
heart  ;hat  which  has  been  sent  into  the  extremities  for 
their  nourishment  and  renovation,  caused  by  colds  or 
sudden  transitions  and  exposures. 

Sijmptoms. — First  perceptible  by  a  swelling  at  the 
heels,  mostly  of  the  hind  legs.     This  is  occasioned  by 
local  inflammation,  and   is  soon  followed   by  a  slight 
issue  of  greasy  matter,  whence  its  name  ;  but  it  is 
sometimes    more    watery,    ichorous,    and    offensive, 
which   will    depend    principally  on   the  constitutional 
health  of  the  patient.     The   swelling   sometimes  ex- 
tends much  higher  than  the  fetlock  jomt,  even  towards 
the  hoof,  and  occasions  stiffness  of  the  limb  and  indis- 
position to  move.      He  cannot  lie  down,  by  reason  of 
the   unbending   nature   of  his  joints,   and   therefore 
stands  to  sleep,  which  renders  the  disorder  more  vir- 
ulent by  the  accession  of  fresh  matter  to  the  part :  the 
skin  cracks  at  various  places,  and  ulceration  ensues. 
The  hair  sticks  out  like  furze,  the  discharge  is  darker 
than  originally,  is  thin,  acrid,  corroding,  and  slink- 
ing- 

Remedy. — The  Grease  is  one  of  those  disorders  a- 

bout  which  we  should  em.ploy  our  ingenuity,  in  preven- 
tion rather  than  cure.  It  being  produced  entirely  by 
inactivity,  it  seems  clear  that  exercise  would  be  the 
best  preventive  of  it ;  and  a  horse  should  also  be  kept 
dry  and  clean  at  his  hee]s,  after  work,  and  rubbed 
industriously.  The  hair  on  the  heels  of  heavy  horses 
should  not  be  cut  off.     But  to  the  cure. 

In  slight  attacks,  a  wash  made  of  a  solution  of  al- 
um, as  given  below,  will  correct  the  disposition  to 
grease,  and  a  dose  of  physic  set  all  to  rights  in  a  short 


61 

time,  both  to  be  regulated  according  to  circumstances. 
When  considering  these,  we  should  inquire  into  the 
preceding  habits  of  the  patient,  as  to  his  usual  evacu- 
ations, and  whether  these  have  been  stopped  ;  for  it 
frequently  happens  that  grease  is  caused  by  the  sus- 
pension of  the  urine  balls,  to  which  proprietors  are 
so  very  much  addicted,  that  they  give  them  without 
reason,  or  suspend  the  giving  through  the  same  whim- 
sicality. In  this  latter  case,  give  the  diuretic  powder, 
and  the  horse  will  require  very  litile  more  physic.  A- 
gain,  if  the  animal  require  opening  physic,  give  him 
the  purging  ball  hereal'ter  directed,  and  in-door  exer- 
cise ;  but  should  his  debility  be  then  very  great,  the 
commotion  this  would  occasion  might  reduce  him  too 
much,  and  therefore  the  alterative  ball  will  do  better,' 
with  the  same  attention  to  in-door  exerci&es  if  he  can 
bear  it.  Sometimes,  however,  the  heels  are  so  cracked 
and  chapped,  that  every  step  the  animal  takes  only 
makes  the  matter  worse  ;  we  should  then  assiduously 
apply  ourselves  to  keeping  the  heels  clean,  with  water 
of  which  the  chill  has  been  taken  off,  and  wiih  a  brush 
get  rid  of  as  m.uch  of  the  running  as  possible  ;  and 
after  drying  it  well  with  cloths,  use  the  alum  wash  of 
the  stronger  preparation  ;  provided  always  the  inflam-^ 
mation  be  not  too  high  at  the  time,  but  which  the  warm 
water  without  the  alum  wash  has  a  tendency  to  alle- 
viate. 

I  will  now  give  the  recipes  for  preparing  the  reme- 
dies above  directed.  Several  are  given,  because  the 
nature  of  the  disease  requires  we  should  always  be 
doing  something  for  the  animal,  either  of  topical  ap- 
plications, or  devising  means  of  carrying  off  the  cause 
of  the  disorder  by  stool,  by  urine,  or  by  perspiration. 
For,  by  keeping  one  or  other  of  these  evacuations 
going,  we  enable  the  animal  system  to  take  up  or  ab- 
sorb the  watery  particles  of  the  lymphatics,  which 
remainmg  indolent,  constitute  the  disease. 

Alum  Wash,  2\o.  1. — Alum,  2  ounces  ;  blue 'stone,  2  drachms  ; 
and  water,  1  pint.  I\'Iix,  and  wash  two  or  three  times  a  day.  Some 
prefer  Goulard's  extract,  and  white  vitriol,  of  each,  2  drachms  ; 
water,  1  quart.     Mix — used  as  above. 

Strong  Alum  Wash,  No.  2. — Alum,  sugar  of  lead,  vinegar,  of 
«ach  2  ounces  ;  water,  1  pint.     Mix — use  as  above. 


62 

Strongest,  or  Merev/rial  Wash,  No.  S.— C^onosive  8ubHma,te,  ft 
•orachma  ;  muriatic  acid,  4  drachms;  water,  1  pint.  Mix,  and  ap* 
ply  in  inveterate  cases. 

Diuretic  Alterative  Powders, — Nitre  and  powdered  resin,  each 
2  ounces.  Mix,  and  give  in  four  morning  doses.  To  be  continued 
until  its  effects  are  visible. 

Purgative  Ball. — Aloes,  9  drachms;  hard  soap,  3  do^ ;  ginger, 
1  drachm.      Mix,  with  mucilage,  for  one  dose. 

First  Alterative  Ball. — Aloes  and  hard  soap,  2  or  3  drachms  ; 
ginger,  3  drachm  s% 

■Second. — Aloes,  4  or  5  drachms  ;  soap,  6  drachms  ;  oil  of  ania- 
■seed,  10  di'ops. 

Mix  with  mucilage  sufficient  to  form  a  ball  of  each 
and  give  of  the  first  one  ball  every  morning,  until  the 
bowels  are  opened  ;  the  second  to  be  used  when  the 
animal  is  more  difficult  to  physic. 

Diaphoretic  Ball, 

The  perspiration  must  be  promoted  by  the  following 
Diaphoretic  Ball  : — Emetic  tartar,  two  drachms,  and 
Venice  turpentine,  4  drachms.     Mix  well,  with  liquo- 
rice powder  sufficient  to  form  a  ball  into  one  dose  ; 
and  give  one  every  night  for  a  week  or  ten  days,  ta- 
king care  to  clothe  the   patient,  or  put  a  rug  on  his 
body  at  least,  regulating  his  sweats  according  to  the 
weather.     Some  persons   do  not  think  it  too    much 
trouble, to  divide  the  foregoing  ball  into  two  parts,  and 
give  one  every  night  for  the  periods  just  mentioned, 
until  all   are  given,  requiring  the  same    amount    of 
emetic  tartar.     Be  careful  to  buy  it  genuine  ;  and  if 
the  horse  be  taken  care  of  while  in  his  sweats,  it  will 
mainly  contribute  to   his  getting  well.     He  is  not  to 
have  his  sweating  ball  whilst  he  has  other  physic  in 
him  ;   but  it  may  be  given  alternately  with  the  fore- 
going powder  of  nitre  and  resin  ;  and  is  better  admin- 
istered thus,  when  it  happens  that  he  requires  to  be  set 
a  staling,  to  sweat  him  at  the  same  time.     If  the  med- 
icine makes  the  bowels  grumble,  add  to  the  ball,  half 
a  drachm  of  opium,  which  some  put  into  the  prescrip- 
tion whether  or  no.    But  it  is  of  a  binding  nature,  and 
not  desirable  unless  as  above. 

Regimen. — A  good  generous  feeding  should  be  al- 
lowed, with  a  few  beans  for  elder  patients  only  ;  and 
in  all  ca?>es  where  the  disorder  has  lasted  long,  a  run 


63 

at  grass  is  greatly  conducive  to  a  recovery  if  it  bs 
practicable. 

In  cases  of  a  tedious  ulceration,  which  causes  a 
lameness,  ho  should  not  be  exercised  ;  but  let  them  be 
poulticed  with  a  turnip  poultice,  or  it  may  be  made  of 
oatmeal  and  the  grounds  of  stale  beer,  or  both  may 
be  employed  alternately  ;  and  then  if  luxuriant  or 
thic'K.  the  parts  may  be  washed  with  a  solution  of  blue 
vitriol  in  water,  or  the  wa'^h  No.  3. 

Dress  the  cracks  with  the  following  ointment  : 

Ointmc7it. — Oil  of  turpentine,  3  drachms  ;  hog's  lard,  6  evinces  ; 
litharg^e  water,  half  an  ounce.      Mix. 

This  may  bo  varied  by  substituting  Veniqe  turpentine, 
and  half  the  quintity  of  the  oil.  In  these  inveterate 
cases,  a  change  of  medicine  is  desirable,  if  but  for 
the  change  which  it  occasions  in  the  digestive  powers  ; 
for  this  purpose  the  blue  piii  has  been  given  as  an 
alterative,  as  well  as  calomel.  Both  act  upon  the  kid- 
neys, and  set  them  in  motion  for  the  production  of 
urine  : 

Alterative  Ball. — Calomel,  one  and  a  half  drachms ;  aloes,  3 
drachms;  Castile  soap,  6  drachms;  oil  of  juniper,  40  drops.  Mix, 
and,  make  into  3  balls,  and  give  one  daily  for  a  week.  If  it  gripes, 
add  half  a  drachm  of  opium. 

SURFKIT— MANGE. 

Both  of  these  diseases  proceed  from  over  feeding, 
or  gross  feeding.  They  are  different  stages  of  the 
same  disease. 

Symptoi/  s. — Like  surfeit  in  man,  small  tumors  ap- 
pear and  disappear  sudd(>nly  upon  the  surface  of  the 
skin  at  time?.  The  annnai  is  restless,  flmciiitig  from 
the  touch,  and  looking  round  sharp  at  the  legs  and 
sides  as  if  he  were  spurr<'d  trivially.  Whenever  he 
can  bring  the  j)arts  against  the  sail  or  wall,  he  will 
rub  violently;  until  the  hair  comes  off,  and  the  skin  is 
raw.  Instead  of  tumors  that  emit  a  sharp,  acrid,  and 
stinking  humor,  like  grease,  a  dry  scurf  appears,  re- 
sembling scales,  and  this  is  mansre  ;  some  animals 
however,  exhibit  no  eruption  whatever,  though  every 
hair  is  affected  in  a  small  degree,  the  skin  becomes 
dry,  and  he  is  then  hide-bound, 


64 

Cure, — fiurfeit  is  easily  removed  by  a  cooRng  puf' 
gative  ;  but  if  the  pulse  be  high,  he  should  also  be 
bled.  Promote  perspiration  by  means  of  the  diaplo- 
retic  ball  recommended  page  63,  with  the  same  pre- 
cautions as  there  set  down.  If  the  animal  be  fat,  he 
must  be  reduced  ;  give  bran  mashes,  boiled  oats,  and 
good  exercise  ;  and  should  moisture  be  found  lo  dis- 
charge from  the  skin,  wash  it  with  the 

Surfeit  Wash. — Blue  vitriol,  1  ounce ;  camphor,  half  an  ounce  ; 
apirifs  of  wine;  2  ouuces.  Mix  in  a  quart  bottle,  and  fill  it  with 
water. 

Wash  with  warm  soapy  water,  rub  dry,  and  apply 
the  above  wash  once  a  day,  and  at  the  same  lime 
give  one  of  the  diaphoretic  balls,  as  above.  Let  the 
diet  be  cool  and  opening,  as  scalded  bran,  sodden  oats, 
and  if  the  horse  be  low  in  flesh,  mix  an  ounce  of  fenu- 
greek seeds  in  his  grain  daily  for  a  fortnight. 


THE  MANGE  sometimes  succeeds  an  ill-cured 
surfeit  ;  and  is  moreover  an  original  disease,  arising 
from  filthiness,  hard  living,  ill-usage,  and  consequent 
depraved  state  of  the  system.  It  partakes  of  the  na- 
ture of  itch  in  man,  is  communicable  by  means  of  the 
touch,  by  using  the  same  harness,  clothing  &c.  and 
probably  by  standing  in  the  same  stall  a  diseased 
horse  may  have  left. 

Symptoms. — -.As  in  surfeit,  the  horse  is  constantly 
rubbing  and  biting  himself;  great  patches  of  the  coal 
are  thus  rubbed  away,  and  ulceration  frequently  sup- 
plies the  places.  Scabs  appear  at  the  roots  of  the  hair 
of  mane  and  tail  ;  large  portions  whereof  fall  away. 

When  eruptions  appear,  they  form  a  scurf,  which 
peels  off,  and  it  is  succeeded  by  fresh  eruptions. 

Cure. — The  cure  is  to  be  effected  by  topical  appli- 
cations of  sulphur,  and  giving  the  same  internally  as 
an  alterative  ;  but  mercurials  are  mostly  preferred  by 
•our  moderns  ;  I  subjoin  the  most  approved  receipes 

Mange    Ointment. — Hog-'s   lard,   2  pounds;  sulphur  vivum,    1 
pound;  white  hellebore,  powdered,  6  ounces. 

Mix  with  oil  of  turpentine  sufficient  to  make  a  soft 
ointment,  rub  the  animal  wherever  the  eruption  and 
scurf  appear,    with  hair  cloths,  or  a  besom,  so  as  to 


65 

get  rid  of  the  loose  filth  before  applying  the  ointmenf^ 
Uub  it  well  every  other  day,  and  the  following 

Alterative  for  the  Mange,  No.  1. — Tartarized  antimony,  1 
ounce;  muriate  of  quicksilver,  2  drachms;  ginger  and  anise  seed, 
powdered,  of  each  3  ounces. 

Mix,  with  mucilage  sufficient  to  form  the  mass  ;  di- 
vide it  into  six  balls,  and  give  one  every  morning 
until  the  eruption  disappears. 

Alterative  for  Mange,  No.  2. — Antimony  in  fine  powder,  8 
ounce;  grains  of  paradis?,  3  ounces. 

Mix,  and  add  Venice  turpentine  to  form  the  mass 
which  divide  into  twelve  balls.  Give  one  daily  whilst 
the  rubbing  is  continued. 


HIDE-BOUND. 

The  cause  of  hide-bound  is  commonly  the  same  as 
that  which  produced  the  last-mentioned  disease,  viz  : 
poverty,  only  that  the  particular  animals  may  not  be 
in  the  same  state  of  general  health,  and  the  more  de- 
praved would  incur  mange,  whilst  another  would  be- 
come  simply  hide-bound.  This  is  less  of  an  original 
disease  than  the  effect  of  some  other,  and  of  bad  di- 
gestion and  consequent  defective  perspiration  beyond 
all  others. 

Symptoms. — As  the  word  implies,  the  hide  or  skin 
seems  bound  or  glued  to  the  bones  ;  the  animal  is  al- 
ways very  low  in  flesh,  or  we  might  aver  the  skin  ad- 
hered to  the  flesh.  The  pulse  is  low,  and  great  weak- 
ness is  manifested  in  every  step  the  patient  takes.  As 
the  tightness  is  first  observable  at  the  sides  of  the  an- 
imal's body,  before  it  reaches  the  limbs,  and  every 
hide-bound  subject  examined  by  me,  proves  the  fact, 
I  have  no  hesitation  in  ascribing  hide-bound  to  disor- 
dered digestion,  which  includes  the  negation  of  where- 
withal to  digest,  or  starvation  and  hard  work.  Again, 
one  of  two  extremes  attends  the  bowels  ;  they  are  ei- 
ther relaxed  greatly,  or  much  constipated — Usually 
the  former  ;  which  may  be  the  effect  of  a  long  fit  of 
illness  from  inflammation  or  fever,  and  the  use  of 
strong  medicine,  or  much  of  it. 

Cure  the  animal  by  the  direct  contrary  conduct  to 
that  which  brought  on  the  illness.     If  its  stomach  b© 


66 

empty,  as  commonly  happens,  fill  it  nearly  with  food, 
that  is  easy  of  digestion  ;  if  it  be  too  full  empty  it ; 
give  alterative  laxatives  and  tonic  alteratives  after- 
wards ;  restore  the  perspiration  by  tbe  diaphoretic  ball 
recommended  at  page  63,  and  let  the  curry-comb  and 
brush  be  assiduously  applied  to  his  coat.  He  may 
then  be  exercised,  but  not  before,  as  it  is  ncaily  im- 
possible without  inflicting  great  pain.  )3esides  which, 
forced  exercise,  or  sweating  as  hath  been  strongly  re- 
comm2nded,  wjuldin  this  c;is>e  only  aggravate  the  dis- 
ease ;  fur  if  the  animal  did  sweat,  it  wouid  be  cau..ed 
by  internal  pain;  probably  the  tuborclos  which  had 
formed  upon  the  membrane,  would  suppurate  and 
burst,  and  thus  confirm  the  disorder  iniernally  by  the 
inflammation  of  ihe  particular  viscus  where  the  disor- 
der began. 

ALTERATIVE  LAXATIVE.— Aloes,  8  drachms;  hard  soap, 
7  drachms;  AnisseedS)  powdered,  1  ounce. 

Mix  with  mucilage  suOlcient  to  form  the  mass  in!o  4 
balls.  Give  day  after  day  until  ihey  effect  the  pur- 
pose of  bringing  away  a  giod  stool.  Then  give  the 
arsc^nical  tonic  alterative,  thus  proportioned  for  a  large 
horse,  with  care. 

TOXIC,  No.  2. — Prepared  Arsenic,  10  grains;  g-inger,  powder- 
ed, 1  dra'ohm ;  Annisseed,  powdered,  4  drachms  ;  compomid  pow- 
der of  Ti-agacanth,  2  drachms. 

IMix  with  mucilage  sufficient  for  one  dose.  Give  dai- 
ly for  a  week,  preceded  and  followed  by  mAbhes,  and 
then  give  the  bark,  thus  : 

TOXIC,  No.  2. — Cascarilla,  powdered,  4  ounces;  ginger,  8 
drachms ;  sah  of  tartar,  10  grains. 

Mix  with  mucilage  sufficient  to  form  the  mass  into  4 
balls  ;  give  them  daily.  If  the  preparation  of  arse- 
nic in  i\o.  1,  is  disliked,  substitute  the  alterative  at 
page  64,  and  follow  it  up  with  the  bark  as  above, 
Ko.  2. 

7"'he  following  b'  11  is  calculated  to  improve  the  coat, 
and  will  bo  found  beneficial  when  the  animal  is  recov- 
ering, if  given  in  these  proportions  fur  ten  days  or  a 
fortnight  : 

Alterative  Ball — Tartarized  antimony,  3  ounces  ;  powderod 
ginger,  2  ounces  ;  opium  5  drachms.  Mix  with  mucilage  -uSoient 
>»form  the  ruass,  to  be  divided  into  ten  balls. 


67 

DISORDERS  OF  THE  FOOT  AND  LEG. 
RINGBONE. 

Symptoms. — Lameness  is  sometimes  the  first  inti- 
mation we  have  of  the  existence  of  ringbone,  which  is 
at  first  neglected,  and  only  ascertained  by  passing  tho 
hand  down  over  the  part.  As  usual  with  most  disea- 
'ses  of  tlie  foot,  the  attendant  commonly  ascribes  the 
lameness  to  a  strain  higher  up — of  the  shoulder  gene- 
rally, as  ringbones  afflict  the  fore  foot  oftener  than  the 
hinder  one.  It  consists  in  the  ossification  of  the  car- 
tilage in  front  of  the  foot,  which  extends  in  time  to  the 
lateral  parts  also. 

Remedies. — These  may  be  applied  to  relieve,  but  no 
cure  is  to  be  found  for  ringbone.  As  high  heel  usually 
accompanies  the  short  upright  hoof,  the  concussions 
of  the  foot  may  be  lessened  by  lowering  the  heels. — 
Apply  blistering  ointment  to  the  seat  of  the  disease, 
and  firing  may  also  be  employed  with  advantage. 


WINDGALLS, 

These  appear  a  little  above  the  fetlock,  on  each 
side  of  the  back  sinews,  and  consist  of  small  puffy 
swellings,  that  occasion  no  immediate  inconvenience, 
but  proves  that  the  animal  has  been  strained  in  his 
work,  unless  it  has  been  occasioned  by  his  having 
been  put  to  it  too  early  in  life.  They  may  be  occa- 
sioned by  the  sinus  of  a  tumor,  pointing  towards  the 
pastern  joint,  having  been  cured  too  harshly,  whereby 
the  joint  oil  issues  forth  upon  their  being  pricked. 

Blistering  and  ;»run  in  the  straw  yard,  are  the  only 
remedies,  though  experiments  are  often  tried,  when 
ilis  found  necessary  to  sell  the  animal,  with  prepara- 
tions of  muriatic  acid,  and  muriate  of  ammonia  diluted 
in  water.  Saturate  a  roller  bandage  herewith  fre- 
quently, and  partial  absorption  takes  place. 

THOROUGHPIN 

Is  of  the  same  nature  as  the  foregoing,  arises  from 
the  same  cause,  and  is  equally  devoid  of  immediate 
consequence  to  the  animal's  going.  It  cons  sts  of  a 
«oft  flexible  swelling  on  the  inside  of  the  hock-joint, 
F 


68 

as  well  as  the  outside,  immedialel}^  opposite  each  oth- 
er :  whence  it  obtains  the  name  of  thoroughpin,  be- 
ing supposed  to  go  through  the  joint.  When  one  of 
those  tumors  is  pressed  it  yields,  and  the  fluid  it  con- 
tains is  thereby  forced  into  that  on  the  other  side  ; 
when  the  pressure  is  removed  it  immediately  returns 
to  the  same  state  as  before. 

The  disorder  has  no  other  effect  upon  the  animal's 
going,  or  value,  than  its  appearance  amounts  to,  as 
it  conveys  the  information  of  its  having  been  worked 
too  hard,  and  too  early  in  life,  as  do  all  these  minor 
evils  we  are  now  considering.  Like  unto  the  other 
disorders  of  this  class,  blisters  and  rest  are  the  only- 
remedies;  apply  blistering  ointment  composed  of  can- 
tharides  and  spirits  of  wine. 

SPAVIN. 

Bog  spavin  is  the  more  common,  blood  spavin  but 
rare.  Both  varieties,  as  bone  spavin,  owe  their  ori- 
gin to  hard  work  in  early  life,  in  the  same  manner  as 
just  adduced  in  cases  of  windgall,  and  thoroughpin. 
Bog  spavin  is  caused  by  the  joint  oil  of  the  hoof  issu- 
ing into  the  membrane  that  surrounds  it,  and  stagna- 
ting under  the  vein  causes  this  to  swell.  The  old  me- 
thod of  taking  up  the  vein  by  ligature  should  be  aban- 
doned as  a  long  and  tedious  mode  of  cure  ;  the  circu- 
lation has  then  to  force  a  new  channel,  in  doing  which 
irritation  of  the  parts  adjacent  is  the  means  of  cure, 
by  promoting  absorption  ;  whereas  the  same  effect 
may  be  produced  by  blistering,  as  in  the  two  corres- 
pondent disorders  just  named  above. 

Bone  Spavin. — This  disorder  consists  of  a  bony- 
enlargement  at  the  upper  end  of  the  shank  bone,  in- 
side of  the  hock-joint,  or  a  little  below  it.  It  belongs 
to  the  hind  leg  only;  and  if  not  undertaken  in  lime 
becomes  incurable. 

Cure. — At  the  commencement  only  it  may  be  ef- 
fected easily,  by  simply  blistering  the  part  all  round 
the  hoof,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  raise  the  blister  to  a 
good  extent.  Generally,  in  bad  cases  it  would  be  ad- 
visable to  repeat  the  blister;  in  which  event,  let  the 
former  ones  be  first  well  cleansed  away  with  Goulard's 
extract,  diluted  with  water.     But  should  the  duration 


69 

of  lameness  and  degree  of  swelling  give  reason  for 
apprehending  that  the  adhesion  is  uncommonly  exten- 
sive, let  the  part  be  fired  previously  to  blistering.  Be 
careful  to  keep  it  up  whilst  the  blister  is  operating, 
and  subsequently  dress  with  hog's  lard  ;  but  do  not 
use  any  greasy  applications  previously  to  the  blister- 
ing, as  these  tend  only  to  harden  the  skin,  and  so  ob- 
struct the  perspiration  and  absorption  which  promote 
the  cure. 

Making  the  shoe  thin  on  the  out  side  at  the  heel 
relieves  the  pressure  when  the  horse  is  worked;  the 
contrary  form  of  shoe  is  conducive  to  all  diseases  of 
the  leg  bones. 

CURB. — It  is  caused  by  an  inflammation  in  the 
sheath  of  the  back  sinew  a  little  below  the  point  of  the 
hock,  where  the  sheath  is  attached  to  the  muscle. — 
Like  spavin,  curb  mostly  effects  young  horses  of  the 
cow-hocked  built,  whose  legs  stand  too  much  under 
the  body,  and  which  have  been  worked  prematurely 
hard,  as  in  cases  of  bone-spavin.  Indeed  the  two 
diseases  bear  so  much  resemblance  to  each  other,  in 
cause  and  symptoms,  except  only  as  to  situation,  that 
I  feel  no  difficulty  in  referring  the  reader  to  the  pre- 
ceding page  for  my  description  of  these  only  premising 
that  he  cannot  discover  the  coming  of  a  curb,  by  any 
other  means  than  lameness,  and  comparing  the  two 
legs  to  each  other  sidewise,  when  a  diffiised  swelling 
may  be  seen,  but  very  li'tle  heat  felt,  by  reason  of  the 
disorder  being  deep-seated. 

Cure. — It  may  be  effectually  removed  at  first,  by 
blistering,  as  in  case  of  bone  spavin  ;  but  when  the 
disease  has  lasted  a  long  time,  firing  must  be  resorted 
to  with  the  same  precautions  as  those  before  recom- 
mended. Ease  may  be  afforded  by  adding  to  the  thick- 
ness of  the  heels  of  the  shoe. 

SPLENT 

May  be  looked  upon  as  a  disorder  of  the  fore  legs, 
though  occurring  on  the  hind  one,  at  times, 

Cause, — Working  of  young    horses  before    they 
laave  acquired  sufficient  stamina,  or  on  labor  which 
is  much  beyond  their  strength,  as  in  case  of  spavin, 
,curb,  &c. 


70 

Symptoms. — Frequent  lameness,  that  goes  ofl  and 
returns  without  app:irent  causo  for  either,  before  the 
splent  shows  itself  upon  the  shank-bone,  which  it  does 
above  the  knee,  inside.  Similarly  hereto,  it  affects 
the  bone  of  the  hind  leg,  and  then  acquires  the  nemo 
of  bone  spavin.  ,  Inflammation  of  the  skin  is  soon  felt, 
and  the  horse  goes  lame  until  the  splent  is  con)pletf  ly 
thrown,  and  afterwards  he  does  as  well  as*  ever,  ex- 
cept retaining  the  splent  mark  perhaps;  but  severe 
cases  occur,  that  do  not  terminate  so  favorably.  JSuch 
happens  when  the  shank  bone  has  received  the  con- 
cussion, that  causes  the  enlargement  and  rupture, 
which  constitutes  the  disease,  at  the  hinder  part  of 
the  leg,  where  it  meets  with  tendons  or  the  suspensor 
ligament.  The  lameness  and  the  inflammation  are 
then  greatest,  and  the  splent  requires  our  careful  at- 
tention. 

Remedy. — But  should  not  the  horse  throw  out  the 
splent  on  this  last  mentioned  dangerous  part,  and  be- 
come lame,  he  vill  yet  suffer  much  in  all  ordinary 
cases  ;  for  the  enlargement  of  the  bone  strains  the 
membrane  which  covers  it  tightly.  For  this  purpose 
apply  a  warm  stimulating  einurocation,  which  ailbrda 
relief  in  the  more  favorable  cases  ;  but  when  the 
splent  rises  under  the  ligament  or  tendons,  blistering 
or  firing  must  be  resorted  to.  The  latter  however,  is 
proper  only  in  extreme  cases,  and  only  to  be  adopted 
when  blistering  is  found  inadequate  to  the  purpose  ; 
if  the  swelling  is  hot  and  tender,  firing  would  have 
the  effect  of  enlarging  the  whole  bone  of  the  leg,  and 
even  the  blistering  liquid  is  improper  when  this  symp- 
tom is  highly  prevalent.  Rather  let  the  heat  subside, 
or  asiist  it  in  doing  so  by  means  of  Goulard's  extract, 
diluted  with  water,  frequently  applied.  When  this 
has  reduced  the  heat,  employ  a  liquid  blister  of  four 
drachms  pulverized  cantharides,  mixed  with  sweet  oil 
to  the  consistence  of  treacle,  and  apply  the  same  twice 
through  the  day,  thus  : — Let  the  hair  be  clipped  off 
close  from  the  part  and  all  round  the  leg,  and  the 
blister  well  rubbed  with  the  hand  for  five  or  ten  min- 
utes. If  this  does  not  cause  further  swelling  and  a 
discharge  of  a  clammy  nature,  a  third  application  of 


ti 

the  liquid  blister  becomes  necessary.  After  a  day  has 
elapsed,  dress  two  or  three  days  with  hog's  lard,  and 
the  patient  may  be  walked  about,  to  get  rid  of  the 
stiffness.  It  may  be  proper,  after  this,  farther  to  re- 
duce the  heat  by  more  applications  o£  Goulard's  ex- 
tract, as  above. 

Shoeing  is  supposed  to  occasion  splents  sometimes, 
it  being  the  practice  with  most  smiths  to  make  the  in- 
ner heel  of  their  shoes  thinner  than  the  outer ;  and 
the  inner  heel  being  also  lower  than  the  outer,  occa- 
sions the  splent  bone  to  receive  the  concussion  more 
sharply  than  the  outer  one  ;  for,  as  I  before  observed, 
splents  oftener  occur  on  the  inside  of  the  leg  than  on 
any  other  part  of  it. 


STRAIN  OF  THE   BACK    SINEW  AND  LIG- 
AMENTS. 

Symptoms. — That  sort  of  strain  which  consists  of 
relaxation  of  the  back  sinews  shows  itself  by  the  horse 
going  low  upon  the  pasterns,  in  consequence  of  hia 
•'  carrying  high,''  or  being  trotted  constantly  in  har- 
ness. Occasional  lameness  sometimes  ensues  in  that 
fore  foot  which  beats,  or  has  the  lead  at  setting  out — 
generally  the  off  one  ;  inflammation  of  the  whole  foot 
may  be  felt  by  comparison  with  the  heat  of  its  fellow,, 
which  is  aptly  enough  termed  "  fever  of  the  foot,"  by 
old  farriers.  This  is  a  very  puzzling  kind  of  lameness, 
no  other  symptom  than  that  presenting  itself  for  us  to 
ascertain  the  exact  cause  ;  and  of  course  the  less  ob- 
servant persons  are  very  likely  to  apply  the  wrong 
medicine,  and  render  the  horse  a  disservice  instead  of 
doing  him  good.  The  lameness  sometimes  goes  ofT 
without  any  treatment  whatever  but  rest  ;  it  is,  how- 
ever, more  frequently  accompanied,  or  followed,  by 
some  disease  of  the  sole,  in  consequence  of  the  secre- 
tion of  horn  in  the  foot  being  obstructed.  Sand-crack, 
thrush,  corns,  are  among  these  evils,  arising  from  su- 
pernatural heat. 

Whenever  it  so  happens,  that  the  secretion  does  not 
restore  to  the  entire  tendons  their  original  motion,  it 
follows  that  some  part  adheres  to  another  ;  inflamma- 
tion is  the  consequence,  and  the  horso  becomes  wors^ 
v2 


72 

and  worse  every  day  he  is  put  to  work,  the  lameness 
never  leaving  him  altogether.  When  the  adhesion 
begins  extensively,  the  inflammation  and  swelling  are 
eqaaliy  so  ;  the  pain  is  then  very  great,  and  the  lame- 
ness complete  and  permanent.  '1  his  denotes  the  dis- 
order called  "  strain  of  the  back  sinews."  In  very 
bad  cases,  or  where  a  slight  attack  has  continued 
some  time,  the  ligament  that  passes  between  the  back 
sinew  and  the  pastern  bones  becomes  greatly  diseas- 
ed, and  conducts  the  inflammation  to  the  foot,  anect- 
ing  alike  the  sole,  the  coflin-bone,  and  the  hoof,  with 
heat. 

"  Fever  in  the  foot,"  is  that  low  state  of  the  symp- 
toms which  arises  from  a  slight  attack  which  has  been 
neglected  ;  the  more  virulent  attack  must  come  under 
fiejjaraie  notice. 

Cure  — Rest  is  indispensible  ;  foment  the  entire 
foot  wiih  wnrm  bran  water,  or  make  the  whole  into  a 
poultice  sufficient  to  envelope  the  foot  all  over,  as 
high  as  the  inflammation  may  extend,  which  is  some- 
times as  far  up  as  ihe  fetlock.  When  the  heat  is 
greatest  at  the  sole,  and  the  fever  extends  no  higher 
than  the  coronet,  a  stuffiing  of  cow-dung  will  reduce 
the  heat  considerably  ;  it  may  be  secured  by  thin 
splinters  of  wood,  and  changed  twice  the  first  day  or 
two — once  a  day  afterwards.  Introduce  a  strong  so- 
lution of  nitre,  and  1ft  it  be  strong,  as  you  cannot  em- 
ploy much  of  it.  Both  legs  should  be  sluffed  at  the 
sole,  though  the  soiind  one  (if  one  only  be  aflected,) 
does  not  require  changing.  Let  the  animal  have  a 
loosti  stall  during  any  stage  of  straiu,  or  disorder  of 
the  limbs.  Look  alter  his  evacuations,  and  cause 
them  to  be  regular  ;  a  simple  fever,  or  inflammation, 
of  the  foot  depending  very  often  upon  nothing  more 
than  one  or  the  other  of  these  being  slopped,  which 
affects  the  whole  aniinal  system  sometimes,  to  say 
riothmg  of  a  single  linib. 

Violent  sprains  or  strains,  and  swelling  above  the 
fetlock  joint,  when  the  lameness  is  very  great,  require 
strong  physic  ;  and  the  inflammatory  symptoms,  when 
running  very  high,  with  a  quick  and  irregular  pulse, 
should  be  lowered  by  bleeding.  Apply  fomentaliona 
of  bran,  or  a  poultice  of  the  same,  or  of  oatrae-al,  m 


r3 

which  saturnine  lotion  has  been  introduced,  as  much 
as  it  will  bear.  When  the  great  heat  of  the  part  has 
caused  dryness  of  the  poultice,  saturate  it  externally 
with  the  saturnine  lotion,  either  by  soaking  cloths  in 
it,  and  spreading  these  all  over  the  part  affected,  or  in 
a  poultice  as  above. 

After  this  treatment  has  reduced  the  inflammatory 
symptoms,  but  not  the  swelling  and  lameness,  apply 
opodeldoc,  which  may  be  made  as  under,  viz  :  No.  1 
tmbrocation.  If  this  dees  not  fully  succeed,  in  the 
course  of  three  or  four  days,  recourse  must  be  had  to 
No.  2  :  and  if  this  does  not  prove  sufficiently  stimu- 
lating, apply  the  mild  blister  No.  3. 

Embrocation  for  strains,  No.  1. — Spirits   of  wine,  6   ounces; 
camphor,  half  an  ounce ;  and  soap,  2  ounces. 

Dissolve  the  camphor  in  half  the  spirits  ;  mix  the  re- 
mainder with  the  soap,  and  then  put  both  together. — 
Rub  the  parts  assiduously  twice  or  three  times  during- 
the  day. 

No.  2. — Crude  ammoniac,  2  ounces  ;  Vinegar,  1  quait. 

Mix  in  a  bottle,  and  rob  the  parts  twice  daily.  Let 
a  long  bandage,  dipped  in  the  embrocation  just  prescri- 
bed, be  passed  tightly  round  the  parts,  beginning  at 
the  bottom  and  making  it  fast  above  the  knee,  or  the 
hock,  as  the  case  may  be.  Moisten  the  bandage  after 
it  is  on. 

No.  3. — Cantharides,  in  powder,  1  drachm  ;  spirits  of  wine,  2 
ounces. 

Mix,  and  rub  it  on  the  part.  Although  this  acts  as 
a  mild  blister,  the  horses  head  must  be  tied  up  for  a 
few  hours  vvhile  it  is  operating. 

A  course  of  treatment  that  has  been  followed  in  this 
maimer  steadily,  and  with  due  caution,  seldom  fails  to 
restore  the  animal  to  a  comparative  soundness,  if  not 
completely  so  ;  though  the  swelling  may  remain  after 
the  lameness  has  ceased,  it  generally  subsides  when 
the  convalescent  animal  can  be  permitted  to  walk  out 
for  a  little  exercise,  which  should  take  place  gradually, 
and  the  use  of  a  loose  stall  allowed,  than  which  there 
is  not  in  the  whole  catalogue  of  remedies  a  more  cer- 
tain adjunct  to  be  found.  Going  out  too  early  after 
apparent  recovery  is  very  likely  to  bring  on  a  relapse 


74 

QlS  every  one  knows,  is  always  more  difficult  to  re- 
move than  the  original  disorder.  Time  is  required 
for  the  injured  parts  to  recover  their  former  posture 
and  strength,  if  that  event  ever  arrive.  Firing  may 
be  employed  after  a  while,  but  is  very  often  resorted 
to  prematurely,  before  the  tendons  and  ligaments  have 
recovered  their  position,  or  absorption  has  reduced 
the  muscular  parts  to  their  former  size,  and  restored 
their  action.  When  three,  or  four,  or  five  months  of 
moderate  labor  give  reason  for  believing  that  these 
events  have  taken  place,  firing  is  likely  to  prove 
highly  serviceable  by  bracing  the  whole  together  in  a 
tight  skin,  much  resembling  and  greatly  excelling  the 
long  bandage  prescribed,  with  o  mbrocation  No.  2, 
under  this  head.  The  reader  of  discernment  will 
pilease  to  note,  that  if  the  said  artificial  bracing  be 
found  to  lessen  the  lameness  in  that  early  stage  of 
the  disorder,  no  less  will  the  bracing  of  the  natural 
skin  by  firing  be  t^ound  beneficial  when  healthy  action 
is  restored^  but  not  perhaps  the  former  strength. 


DISEASES  OF  THE  FOOT. 

When  these  cannot  be  traced  distinctly  to  any  spe- 
cific cause,  they  are  fairly  attributable  to  aliment  of 
the  whole  system  dropping  in  the  legs,  and  *'  fever  in 
the  feet"  decidedly  so,  in  my  opinion,  when  both  are 
so  afflicted.  Therefore  it  was  that  I  noticed  this  dis- 
ease along  with  "  strain  of  the  tendons,''  to  which  1 
attribute  its  origin,  as- much  as  to  other  causes  of  gen- 
eral heat  of  the  foot.  Indeed  the  whole  structure  of 
the  foot  of  the  horse  is  so  peculiarly  curious  that  it 
almost  deserves  a  separate  study,  but  we  must  always 
keep  in  mind,  whilst  considering  its  ailments,  that  the 
great  irritation  kept  up  by  its  extreme  action  is  readi- 
ly communicable  from  the  one  to  the  other,  so  that 
we  cannot  intelligibly  separate  the  leg  from  the  foot, 
when  speaking  of  the  ailments  of  either,  notwith- 
standing I  have  thought  proper  to  begin  this  chapter 
with  the  disorders  that  aie  situated  higher  up,  and 
mean  to  close  it  with  such  as  only  make  their  ap^ 
pegirance  below. 


75 

FllUSH,  OR  THRUSH. 

Symptoms. — The  earliest,  as  just  said,  is  denoted  by 
tenderness  at  the  cleft,  accompanied  by  sharp,  quick- 
ened and  irregular  pulse,  as  usual  in  all  cases  of  local 
infiarnmation,  being  at  the  same  time  both  cause  and 
etiect.  Of  course,  it  follows,  that  as  the  disorder  in  the 
sensible  frog  proceeds  towards  maturity,  the  blood  feels 
and  tells  of  that  fact  by  increased  disorder  of  the  pul- 
sation. These  timely  indications  being  neglected,  as 
usually  happens,  if  the  animal  be  then  put  along  over 
^tony  or  newly  dressed  roads,  the  first  discovered 
symptom  will  be  his  tumbling  down  through  accute 
pain.  The  cleft  opens,  and  an  issue  of  a  most  offen- 
sive kind  presents  itself. 

Cure. — If  not  speedily  taken  in  hand,  canker  will  be 
the  consequence  of  a  neglected  frush.  This  disease 
frequently  depends  on  some  untimely  suppressed  evac- 
uation, as  the  urine,  stool,  or  perspiration  ;  then  let 
these  be  restored  by  giving  the  diaphoretic  powders, 
purging  or  urine  balls,  according  to  circumstances.  A 
very  much  hurried  pulse  would  of  course  point  out  the 
necessity  of  immediate  bleeding;  for  the  animal  so 
suffering  in  the  vital  function  must  necessarily  contract 
disease  of  some  kind  or  other  :  and  that  particular  or- 
gan or  member  which  may  be  least  able  to  bear  it,  is 
sure  to  feel  its  effects  soonest.  This  is  likely  to  happen 
to  a  horse  with  a  defective  fiog,  as  to  it  size,  texture,  or 
shape,  as  to  any  other  part  of  him.  Then  let  the  care- 
ful owner  examine  and  find  out  the  least  perfect  part  of 
his  horse,  let  him  watch  it  closely  in  all  its  weakness, 
and  endeavor  to  detect  the  first  symptoms  of  illness, 
that  he  may  aid  nature  and  restore  her  functions,  be- 
fore these  run  riot  beyond  the  help  of  art. 

When  the  frog  has  been  pared  awny,  and  the  filth  of 
the  sore  removed,  wash  it  with  a  solution  of  vitriolated 
copper,  and  apply  a  pledget  dipped  in  tar  or  turpentine 
at  the  opening.  If  the  case  be  a  bad  one,  the  wash 
may  be  made  stronger  by  the  addition  of  a  few  drops 
of  vitriolic  acid  to  the  solution ;  and  the  tar  may  be 
poured  into  the  opening  whilst  warm.  Place  dry  tow, 
and  keep  it  in  position  by  means  of  splints.  Repeat 
this  tar  dressing  every  other  day,  until  the  injured  partii 


76 

slough  off.     Purging  physic  will  be  necessarj  to  corei" 
pletc  the  cure. 

SAND  CRACK. 

Sijmptoms.--A  split  or  crack  in  the  hoof,  on  the  in- 
side quarter  of  the  fore  foot,  for  the  most  part,  but  of- 
ten on  the  front  of  it,  down  towards  the  toe,  and  occa- 
sionally on  the  outside,  and  also  near  the  heel.  Some- 
times it  appears  on  the  hind  foot,  on  the  front  of  it,  and 
prevails  with  us  generally  in  hot  weather.  Sand-crack 
is  either  superficial  and  easily  remedied,  or  deep  and 
extensive,  requiring  much  attention,  and  an  operation 
or  two  in  its  different  stages. 

Cure.  —It  will  he  seen  that  a  slight  crack  may,  by 
working  the  animal,  become  one  of  the  worst  species. 
Pare  away  the  rotten  parts,  if  such  be  found,  and  make 
a  transverse  incision  across  the  upper  part  of  the  crack  ; 
wash  cut  the  sand  or  dirt,  apply  daily,  tincture  of  tar, 
with  a  pledget  of  tow,  and  give  the  horse  rest.  Bind 
round  the  hoof  tight  with  lasting,  and  stop  up  the  sole 
with  cow-dung,  and  this  treatment  will  answer  in  ordin- 
ary cases.  But  when  the  crack  extends  so  high,  that 
there  is  no  room  left  for  making  this  incision  across,  to 
stop  the  progress  of  the  crack,  the  diiiorder  has  assumed 
its  worst  aspect ;  the  edges  of  the  crai  k  internally  now 
press  upon  the  sensible  part,  or  laminated  substance 
that  holds  the  coffin-bone  and  hoof  together,  and  in- 
flammation succeeds,  if  blood  does  not  issue  forth.  If 
the  crack  affects  the  coronet,  you  may  draw  one  side  of 
it  down  to  the  quick  about  an  inch  with  good  effect,  but 
no  farther,  as  that  would  occasion  the  hoof  to  divide 
more  readily.  Rest,  however  will  restore  adhesion  to 
the  upper  part  of  the  crack,  and  when  this  has  taken 
place  extensively,  the  operation  of  cutting  across,  or  of 
firing  it  across  with  one  line  only,  may  be  performed, 
with  every  prospect  of  success  ;  for  as  the  hoof  grows 
down,  which  it  does  from  the  coronet,  this  transverse  ar- 
tificial crack  you  have  made,  intercepts  the  material 
for  forming  horn,  on  its  inside,  and  thus  contributes 
greatly  to  fill  up  the  chasm  below.  To  increase  this 
supply  of  the  horny  material,  let  the  coronet  be  anoint- 
ed with  a  solution  of  tar  and  tallow  and  hog's  lard,  dai- 
ly, which  should  be  extended  to  the  horny  part  of  the 
hoof. 


THE  CORN. 

Causes. — Distortion  and  undue  pressure  on  the  sen- 
sible sole  occasions  that  irritation  which  brings  on  in- 
flammation of  its  edge,  where  the  shuttle-bone,  or  heel 
bone,  presses  down  upon  it  at  every  step,  and  causes 
the  utmost  bending  that  the  minute  elasticity  of  the 
hoofs  alows  of;  but  contraction  of  the  heel,  which  ac- 
companies hot,  brittle,  and  elastic  hoof,  prevents  its 
bending  duly  and  truly,  and  latteral  pressure  upon  the 
quartets  follows.  The  sole  being  thus  unduly  pent  up, 
the  circulation  is  obstructed  in  its  passage  to  and  from 
the  cavuy  of  the  coffin-bone,  and  a  deposite  of  blood, 
whiv^h  btjon-  becomes  offensive  matter,  is  the  conse- 
quence. Bad  shoeing,  by  which  the  heels  are  pinched, 
also  when  the  ragged  hoof  is  left,  which  may  have  con- 
tained particles  of  sand,  and  cause  irritation,  and  end 
in  corn  or  figg. 

Cure.---het  the  heel  of  the  shoe  be  cut  off  on  the 
side  that  !«  afflicted,  or  if  both  sides  have  corns,  a  bar 
shoe  is  recommended  as  giving  pressure  to  the  frog. 
The  heels  are  then  to  be  rasped  away  free  from  any 
contact  with  the  shoe  ;  if  they  are  thick  and  hard,  this 
will  give  them  play — if  thin  and  tender,  they  will  thus 
be  freed  from  pressure.  The  thick  heel  is  most  com- 
monly jiffected,  and  should  be  softened  by  an  extensive 
poultice  that  is  to  cover  the  whole  foot,  after  the  corn 
has  been  pared  and  treated  with  butter  of  antimony. 
Tar  is  then  a  very  desirable  application,  or  Friar's  bal- 
sam :  and  if  inflammation  is  again  discovered,  poultice 
the  foot  once  more.  Fire  is  applied  by  some,  but  the 
hoof  is  permanently  injured  by  the  actual  cautery,  and 
whatever  good  is  achieved  is  thus  counterbalanced  by 
the  evil.  Vitriolic  acid,  mixed  carefully  with  tar,  in  the 
proportion  of  one  tenth  of  the  former  to  nine  tenths  of 
the  latter,  will  promote  the  absorption,  upon  which  the 
cure  depends. 

But  in  some  desperate  bad  cases,  the  matter  has  al- 
ready formed  within,  most  offensively,  and  discharges  at 
the  coronet  by  means  of  that  curious  process  of  nature 
which  I  described  above,  as  affording  the  coronet  the 
material  for  forming  new  horn,  to  supply  the  wear  and 
tare  of  the  hoof.     Upon  paring  away  the  horny   sole, 


7:^ 

which  now  becomes  necessary,  the  offensive  matter  will 
be  found  to  have  spread  itself  underneath  the  sensible 
sole,  which  will  ooze  forth,  and  give  immediate  relief  to 
the  coronet.  Let  so  much  of  the  horny  sole  as  lies 
loose  from  the  sensible  sole,  be  pared  away,  and  a  dress- 
ing of  tar,  or  of  Friar's  balsam,  be  applied  as  before 
directed ;  and  if  inflammation  is  again  discovered,  aj*- 
ply  a  poultice  ;  should  the  growth  of  horn  be  found  too 
luxurient,  continue  the  tar. 

STRAIN  OF  THE  COFFIN-JOINT. 

Symjjtoms. — Sudden  lameness,  that  is  always  increas- 
ing, and  has  scarcely  an  intermission,  without  any  ap- 
pearance to  acoount  for  it  on  the  limb;  and  the  persons 
who  permit  -  the  horse  to  incur  this  disorder  by  their 
carelessness,  seldom  have  the  candor  to  acknowledge 
that  they  know  the  cause  to  be  a  tread,  a  rolling 
stone,  or  a  stumble,  and  the  doctor  is  left  lo  "find  it 
out."  Almost  every  one  imagines  the  I&meness  to  re- 
side higher  up,  as  in  the  shoulder  or  the  hip  joint. — 
Great  heat  and  tenderness  of  the  part  soon  come  on  ; 
the  latter  symptom  may  be  ascertained  by  striking  the 
hoof  in  front  with  a  key  or  small  stone,  when  the  ani- 
mal will  flinch  considerably  more  than  when  the  corres- 
ponding foot  is  struck  in  the  same  manner.  When  the 
horse  would  stand  at  ease,  he  usually  does  so  with  the 
toe  pointing  forwards,  so  as  to  keep  the  pastern  in  a 
straight  line  with  the  back  sinew  and  ligaments  ;  the  in- 
flammation shortly  after  reaches  the  upper  part  of  the 
sinew,  as  may  be  ascertained  by  passing  the  hand  down 
over  it,  when  the  patient  flinches. 

Cure. — Bhstering  at  the  coronet  and  fetlock  repeat- 
edly will  reduce  the  inflammation  within.  A  poultice 
covering  the  whole  foot,  also  tends  to  the  same  eflfect, 
which  will  be  further  assisted  by  paring  the  sole,  if  it  be 
not  already  too  thin;  reduce  the  frog  also,  and  do  the 
same  to  the  corresponding  foot.  Formerly  they  pared 
the  toe  tolerably  close,  and  bled  it  there,  by  making  a 
longitudinal  incision  ;  the  usual  application  of  tar,  &c., 
then  complete  the  cure.  But  this  is  an  operation  that 
is  seldom  performed  with  suflicient  exactness,  the  in- 
cision being  too  often  made  unwisely  deep,  so  that  oth- 
er diseases  were  thus  generated  at  some  future  day. — 


79 

Others,  again,  passed  a  seaton  through  the  heel,  to  tha^ 
hollow  of  the  frog,  taking  care  not  to  touch  the  sensible 
sole. 

STRAIN  OF  THE  SHOULDER. 

Symptoms. — Decided  by  swelling  upon  the  chest,  or 
at  the  top  of  the  shoulder;  but  we  think  it  desirable  ta 
ascertain  whether  any  and  what  accident  has  taken  place 
betbre  this  symptom  becomes  apparent.  Lameness 
immediately  succeeding  any  rude  accident,  such  as  a 
kick,  or  being  thrown  down,  or  slipping  on  pavement^ 
ice,  &c.,  or  treading  on  a  loose  stone,  may  cause  a 
strain  of  ih  i  muscles  of  the  shoulder.  This  may  be 
distinguished  from  a  strain  lower  down,  by  the  animal's 
drawing  his  toe  along  the  ground  ;  but  when  he  throws 
out  the  foot  in  a  semicircle,  it  shows  that  the  hurt  is 
chiefly  confined  to  the  lower  part  of  the  i^houlder  near 
the  elbow.  Taking  up  the  foot  and  bending  the  limb 
will  further  prove  the  existence  of  strain  in  the  shoulder, 
if  the  animal  evince  pain  ;  whereas,  if  it  lie  in  the 
foot,  and  not  in  the  shoulder,  the  lame  leg  can  be 
moved  as  supple  as  the  sound  one.  Other  methods 
are  also  resorted  to  by  some  ;  hold  up  his  head  high, 
and  after  comparing  and  finding  no  diflerence  in  the 
shape  of  his  two  shoulders,  let  go  the  head,  when  he 
will  be  observed  to  flinch  upon  bringing  it  towards  the 
affected  side.  Let  a  person  rattle  some  corn  in  a  sieve 
at  a  distance  behind,  now  on  this  side,  now  on  that, 
and  he  will  be  observed  to  evince  pain  at  turning  the 
neck  so  as  to  strain  the  aflected  side  ;  not  so  if  the 
pain  be  in  the  foot,  of  course.  As  the  horse  will  step 
short,  and  also  throw  out  his  leg  somewhat  in  a  semi- 
circle, when  he  has  received  a  prick  in  shoeing,  this 
latter  sign  is  not  to  be  taken  as  finally  indicative  of 
'*  strain  in  the  shoulder"  until  the  foot  has  been  exa- 
mined, and  the  blacksmith  questioned  as  to  his  skill 
and  carefulness. 

Cure. — If  the  injury  be  considerable,  as  when  he 
has  been  thrown  down,  he  should  be  bled  at  once,  in 
the  plate  vein  when  it  is  local,  but  in  the  neck  when 
the  injury  has  been  more  general.  A  laxative  ball, 
or  a  purgative,  must  follow  as  a  matter  of  course, 
proportioned  to  the  actual  state  of  his  body  at  the  timo. 
G 


80 

A  fomentation  of  cammomile  flowers,  or  scalded 
bran,  should  be  applied  largely  and  assiduously  at  the 
chest  and  inside  the  elbow,  and  these  remedies,  with 
rest  from  all  labor  and  exercise,  generally  perfect 
the  cure. 

When  the  swelling  is  great,  but  not  extensive,  as 
in  the  case  of  a  kick,  spirits  of  wine,  in  which  the 
fourth  of  its  weight  of  camphor  has  been  dissolved, 
should  bo  rubbed  in.  This  will  supercede  the  neces- 
sity of  walking  the  horse  too  early,  witii  the  hope  of 
recovering  the  '*usc  of  his  limb,"  by  promoting  the 
lymphatic  absorption,  A  rowel  is  sometimes  employed, 
when  the  heat  and  swelling  are  very  high,  wiih  good 
effect.  On  the  symptoms  abating,  let  the  convalescent 
horse  have  a  loose  stall,  and  m  proportion  as  his  ac- 
tion may  be  free  from  lameness,  so  should  be  regulated 
his  return  to  walking,  to  exercise  and  to  work.  Be- 
fore he  can  be  fit  for  his  former  accupation,  it  gener- 
ally is  found  best  to  give  the  horse  a  run  at  grass; 
but  previously  be  certain  that  he  basso  far  recovered 
as  not  to  be  in  danger  af  a  relapse. 

STRAIN  OF  THE  BACK. 

Symptoms, — A  kind  cf  seperate  motion  of  the  hind 
quarter,  conipared  to  the  fore  one,  of  which  the  exact 
perceptible  division  is  the  seat  of  the  injury.  Some- 
times it  appears  as  far  back  as  the  loins,  but  when 
further  forward  than  the  twelfih  s[)ine,  it  affects  the 
jespiration,  and  with  it  other  vital  functions,  and  the 
animal  suffers  in  his  general  liealth. 

Remedies  applied  early  may  assist  nature,  but  the 
lameness  never  can  be  cured  completely.  If  the 
wrench  or  sprain  has  been  of  a  violent  sort,  as  in 
'iase  of  "  strain  in  the  shouMer,''  let  the  animal  be 
bled  to  good  extent,  from  three  to  five  quarts,  accor- 
ding to  the  quantity  or  degree  of  violence  he  has  sus- 
tained ;  for  It  usually  happens  that  it  has  been  strain- 
ed all  over,  in  various  parts.  Two  dray-hoi'ses, 
which  were  employed  in  pulling  beer  butts,  being 
backed  too  close  to  the  steps,  fell  in,  the  weight  of  the 
hinder  horse  dragging  in  tlie  fore  one  upon  him.  Much 
contusion  was  the  consequence,  as  well  of  the  acci- 
dent itself  as  in  dragging  them  out :  they  were  in  fact 


81 

strained  all  over,  so  that  they  could  scarcely  stand  for 
a  while.  Bleeding  copiously,  however,  to  the  amount 
of  six  quarts^  reduced  the  tendency  to  inflammation  ; 
and  altho'Jgh  they  might  be  pro'nounced  hurt  all  over 
and  the  hind  horse  in  particular,  both  did  well  after 
physicing,  and  a  few  days  of  light  work. 

1  liave  found  a  fomentation  of  hot  vinegar  of  very 
great  service,  in  a  well  marked  case  of  recent  strain  ; 
the  pian  recommended  by  White,  of  administering  it 
by  means  of  a  woollen  cloth  or  lug.  steeped  and  loose- 
ly wrung  out  being  f  Howed.  A  fresh  sheep-skin, 
just  flayed,  was  applied  immediately,  and  the  lame- 
ness sensibly  lessened,  after  two  days,  applying  tlie 
fomentation  four  or  live  times. 

FOUNDER. 

Cause. — ITird  work,  bid  shoeing,  a^e  and  ill-usage, 
cither  of  which  produce  so  many  other  dsorders  per- 
(aininj;  to  (he  horse,  in  his  domesticated  state,  precede 
founder ;  for,  we  never  meet  with  it  unless  the  animal 
has  been  so  treated  or  kept,  and  I  look  upon  it  rather  as 
a  complication  or  effect  of  several  diseases  of  the  foot. 
Some  of  these  we  have  seen,  are  liable  to  be  mistaken 
for  others  ;  therefore  do  they  get  maltreated,  imper- 
fectly cured,  or  retain  the  seeds  of  future  disease  ;  and 
founder  is  given  to  that  which  is  otherwise  inscrutable^ 
has  no  other  origin,  and  is  badly  defined  by  all  writers 
and  talkers  upon  the  subject.  Out  of  this  dilemma  I 
do  t»ot  attempt  to  rescue  it — I  care  not  for  terms,  un- 
less insomuch  as  they  can  assist  us  to  unravel  the 
character  of  the  disorder.  Contracted  heel  is  the  slow 
cause  of  most  cases  of  formder,  vvhereby  the  quarters 
press  on  the  coffin  and  shuttle  bone,  and  thus  prevent 
the  action  of  the  latter,  wnich  is  very  great  at  every 
step,  and  is  mainly  conducive  to  the  proper  secretion 
of  the  horny  material  before  spoken  of  pretty  !iiuch  at 
large.  To  a  '*  chill  "  is  generally  attributed  the  im-* 
mediate  cause  of  founder ;  and  indeed  the  poor  ani- 
mal which  has  suffered  severely  at  the  hands  (or  spurs) 
of  his  master,  is  most  open  to  acquire  any  ill  which 
chill  or  cold  may  inflict.  When  this  chill  takes  place, 
the  attack  is  sudden  and  usually  violent.  Inflamma- 
tion always  attends  the  first  sytiiptora  of  founder,  if  it 


83 

he  not  an  ijnmediate  cause  thereof.  To  this  conctu- 
eion  I  am  come  the  mor«  positively,  by  reason  of  iho 
absence  of  those  secretory  vessels  in  the  feet  of  old, 
foundered,  or  otherwise  diseased  horses  ;  which  secre- 
tions were  designed  to  furnish  the  material  for  form- 
ing new  horn  and  giving  elasticity  to  the  tread.  What 
must  follow,  but  brittle  hoof,  battered  feet,  or  surbaling, 
want  of  elasticity  in  the  sensible  frog  and  tendon,  ac- 
companied by  inflammation,  which  is  a  cause,  if  not 
caused  by  founder. 

But  young  horses  sometimes,  while  breaking  in,  by 
the  violence  that  is  deemed  necessary,  are  foundered 
by  the  rough  rider,  through  the  rupture  or  forcing  as- 
sunder  the  connection  between  the  hoof  and  coffln. 
bone,  just  spoken  of.  In  such  cases,  the  animal  being 
vigorous  and  the  f  >ot  replete  with  juices,  the  coronet 
is  greatly  affected  by  oozing  out  there,  in  its  blood  and 
lymph  state.  If  youth  and  general  good  health  should 
bring  the  animal  through  bis  sufferings,  its  {eet  will 
ever  after  bear  external  marks  of  the  internal  injury. 

Symptoms.  —  Curved,  wrinkled,  or  straited  lioofs, 
ever  attend  those  animals  which  have  been  so  over- 
strained in  youih,  appearing  as  if  the  horn  had  been 
carved  or  indented;  which  arises  from  the  coronet 
furnishing  the  horny  material  too  luxuriantly,  before  it 
has  received  sufficient  concoction  within  the  coffin- 
bone,  as  before  described. 

Lameness  in  one  or  both  fore-feet,  with  evident 
pain,  and  great  heat  in  the  whole  fore  foot,  attend 
founder  in  every  case.  At  the  tirst  attack  of  acute 
or  violent  founder,  the  horse  is  observed  very  restless 
in  his  fore  feet,  which  he  endeavors  to  ease,  by  altern- 
ately changing  his  position,  and  lying  dow.T  when  he 
should  be  t'eeding.  He  brings  iiis  hind  legs  far  under 
his  belly  for  the  same  purpose,  and  if  he  is  r«ujsed  by 
hunger  or  mandate,  he  lies  down  again.  Considerable 
altcraton  takes  place  in  the  pulse,  which  indicates  fe- 
ver, and  the  patient  breathes  short  with  pain.  The 
progress  of  those  sytnptofns  is  very  rapid,  seldom  oc- 
cupying more  than  a  day  or  two. 

The  slower  or  chronic  founder  begins  with  appar- 
ently rheutnatic  pains  and  awkwardness  in  going,  for 


83 

ivliich  he  usually  receives  the  whip.  After  a  while, 
flattening  sometimes  appears  on  the  front  of  the  hoof, 
and  the  heels  contract ;  the  older  animals  have  now 
short,  brittle,  shining  hoofs,  wiih  the  small  pastern 
bone  deeper  sunk  than  heretofore  ;  the  hollow  of  the 
sole  is  converted  into  the  convex,  or  pumice  foot,  so 
that  the  animal  can  scarce  find  fo,ot-hold  on  ihe  ground, 
but  will  slip  and  slide  about.  He  is  then  considered 
groggy,  that  is  to  say,  "  like  a  drunkard,"  and  may 
last  many  years  ;  this  is  chest  founder,  and  indeed  the 
whc^le  limb  is  usually  affected  up  to  tfie  very  chest. 

Jiemedy. — As  soon  as  discovered,  lake  off  the  shoe, 
note  well  the  condition  of  the  £ole,  the  heat,  and  other 
eyiF.ptoms,  for  according  as  these  vary,  so  must  the 
remedies  be  chauijed.  Draw  the  soles  a  litile  \\ilh  the 
buttress  if  found  too  thick,  not  otherwise  ;  rasp  the 
heels  and  quarters,  which  will  ease  the  pain  occ.asion- 
ed  by  the  binding  of  the  hoof,  and  give  room  for  the 
action  of  the  foot;  a  fact  that  may  be  ascertained  by 
bending  in  at  the  pastern,  forwards  and  backwards, 
before  the  operatior.,  and  trying  the  same  experiment 
afterwards.  Ayply  a  bran  p  tuJtice  warm  to  the  wholo 
foot  daily,  but  do  not  add  to  it  any  greasy  or  oily  sub- 
stances as  is  too  often  practiced.  The  sponge  boot 
may  be  employed  with  advantage,  made  large.  After 
three  or  four  days,  if  the  horn  has  recovered  its  former 
consistency,  put  on  the  shoe  gently,  and  walk  the  pa- 
tient to  try  how  much  he  is  now  lame  ;  and  if  the  at- 
tack has  been  a  slight  one,  he  may  recover  with  very 
little  more  treatment  than  a  turn  in  a  meadow  will  af- 
ford. Otherwise  the  feet  must  be  stopped,  and  kept 
moist  and  cool. 

The  proper  secretion  of  the  juicy  elastic  substance, 
for  the  formation  of  new  hoof,  being  essential  to  the 
restoration  of  the  horse,  and  as  the  lameness  will  not 
wholly  subside  unless  this  process  goes  on  healthi- 
Jy,  resort  must  be  had  to  blisterinjO-,  provided  he  still 
continues  lame  any.  This  should  ex'end  from  the 
coronet  and  quarters  to  the  knee,  and  be  repeated,  tak- 
ing care  to  keep  the  heels  open  and  tho  sole  stopped. 
The  good  effects  to  the  sole  that  will  be  found  to  re- 
sult from  blistering,  shows  the  connection  or  compaij? 
ionship  that  exists  between  the  legs  and  feet. 


84 

But,  as  to  drawing  the  sole,  as  before  recommended 
generally,  there  is  one  exception;  if  Jhe  lameness  and 
other  symptoms  come  on  after  an  inflammatory  fever 
of  the  whole  system,  then  we  ought  to  look  upon  it  as 
an  effect  of  the  fever  seeking  to  throw  off  its  dregs 
thus  critically  ;  and  a  swelling  and  discharge  at  the 
coronet  may  be  expected  lo  take  place  that  should  be 
encouraged, and  treated  as  simple  abscess, not  fistulous. 
^Vhen  this  is  the  case,  the  bar-shoe  is  better  adapted 
to  keep  the  parts  in  position,  that  the  discharge  may 
proceed  temperately. 

In  default  of  sending  the  sick  horse  to  the  meadow, 
he  may  be  allowed  to  stand  on  a  clay-made  floor  in  an 
outhouse  by  day,  or  any  slip  of  soft  ground  ;  but  by  no 
means  adopt  the  plan  of  putting  the  patient  upon  litter 
that  is  damp,  and  is  therefore  half  rotten  and  heating. 
A  number  of  contrivances  for  affording  coolness  and 
natural  pressure  to  the  sole  or  frog,  besides  the  forego- 
ing, have  been  resorted  to,  and  among  these  the  ad- 
mixture of  vinegar,  a'egar,  verjuice,  or  solution  of  - 
nitre  with  clay,  with  the  stopping,  &c.,  are  well  calcu- 
lated to  answer  the  purposes  intended.  Rubbing  the 
knees  with  turpentine  is  also  serviceable. 

Physic  should  not  of  course  be  neglected  at  the 
early  stages  of  lameness,  adapted  to  the  previous  state 
of  the  patient's  bodily  health,  and  calculated  to  lower 
the  access  of  inflammation,  which  so  much  pain  must 
naturally  produce.  Either  of  the  three  evacuations 
being  suppressed,  or  imperfectly  performed,  must  be 
restored,  and  a  purgative,  a  urine  ball,  or  a  diaphoretic 
powder  be  administered  as  occasion  requires,  and  op- 
portunity presents  itself;  of  course,  neither  of  those 
will  be  given  while  the  animal  is  out  of  doors.  Recipes 
will  be  found  in  preceding  pages. 

RECIPES 

USED  WITH  SUCCESS  IN  VARIOUS  PARTS 
OF  THE  COUNTRY. 


In  the  preceding  pages,  we  have  been  particular  in 
giving  the  most  correct  information  that  is  known  at 
the  present  day  in  Europe  or  America,  in  relation  to 


85 

the  horse,  the  disease^s  of  that  noble  animal,  the  causes 
of  and  the  symptoms  that  denote  the  same,  with  iho 
proper  cures  and  remedies,  as  practiced  by  Le  Fosse, 
While,  Hinds,  and  others,  who  stand  deservedly  the 
highest  in  the  world  as  Veterinary  Surgeons,  and 
whose  indefatigable  exertions  to  acquire  knowledge 
and  skill  from  scientific  researches  and  practical  ex- 
perience have  gained  them  many  honorary  distinctions 
in  the  Veterinary  Medical  Societies  at  home  and  a- 
broad.  So  that  t!ie  most  implicit  confidence  may  be 
given  to  the  information  contained  in  the  foregoing 
pages  ;  and  pains  has  been  taken  to  give  all  that  is 
necessviry  to  enable  the  owners  of  horses  to  become 
good  judges  and  to  prescribe  with  correctness  for  the 
health  and  preservation  of  his  own  animals.  We  shall 
now  give  a  variety  of  Recipes  that  have  proved  effi- 
cient in  various  parts  of  tlie  country,  and  are  relied 
upon  as  infallible  cures  by  those  who  have  tried  them  ; 
but  we  would  recommend  the  inexperienced,  in  the 
first  place  to  become  familiar  with  the  preceding  pages, 
fio  that  he  may  be  enabled  to  form  a  correct  idea  of 
the  nature  and  extent  of  the  disease,  its  cause  and 
symptoms;  for  the  remedies  must  necessarily  vary 
according  to  these  particulars.  Having  thus  qualified 
himself  to  decide  what  disease  it  is  that  afflicts  his 
horse,  he  may  make  use  of  the  following  Recipes  at 
discretion,  according  to  the  constitution  and  condition 
of  the  animal.  It  is  proper  to  remark  that  none  are 
given  but  such  as  have  been  tried  and  are  highly  re- 
commended by  experienced  men  of  undoubted  veraci- 
ty. Many  of  them  are  quite  simple,  and  may  be  tried 
without  much  trouble. 

FOUNDER, 
Captain  Bartlett,  whose  known  eriperience  has  in- 
duced travellers  frequently  to  call  upon  him  for  advice, 
when  in  the  morning  they  found  their  horses  unable 
to  pursue  their  journey,  on  account  of  having  been 
foundered  the  preceding  day,  made  use  of  the  follow- 
ing remedy,  which  enabled  them  to  go  right  on  with- 
out any  further  difficulty,  and  their  horses  soon  be- 
came as  lively  and  active  as  ever,  and  for  which  hp 
has  received  their  hearty  thanks  on  their  return.     Ho, 


86 

intko  flrst  place,  if  the  shoes  did  not  require  re-setting, 
bled  the  horses  iti  quantity  according  to  their  size  and 
the  state  of  the  pulse,  from  one  to  two  quarts,  and  then 
gave  each  horse  out  of  a  quart  bottle  a  quarter  of  a 
pound  of  Scotch  Snuff  in  a  pint  of  whiskey,  which  ope- 
rates as  a  physic,  and  at  the  same  time  going  on  his 
journey,  throws  him  into  a  freo  perspiration,  and  the 
horse  with  prudent  usage  soon  becomes  as  well  as  over. 
If  the  person  is  not  dii-posed  to  travel  immediate!}'',  he 
should  have  him  exercised,  until  perspiration  takos 
place,  and  after  he  has  been  well  sweated,  he  should 
be  rubbed  dry  and  protected  from  taking  cold. 

Another  cure  for  Founder. — Take,  on  first  appear- 
ance of  founder,  two  quarts  of  blood  from  the  neck  ; 
also  bleed  in  two  places,  in  each  foot — in  the  coronet 
or  upper  edge  of  the  hoof,  about  one  inch  each  way 
from  the  centre,  Tlien  give  a  purge  of  easier  oil,  1 
pint,  and  of  calomel,  one  drachm  ;  after  this,  iT  possi- 
ble, force  him  to  exercise  as  much  as  he  can  bear. — 
This  is  another  efficacious  remedy  by  another  expO' 
rienced  person.  But  in  extreme  cases,  when  the  horse 
cannot  be  got  out  of  the  stable,  apply  bran  poultices 
to  the  feet  and  legs,  after  bleeding  as  before  directed, 
and  keep  them  wet  with  cold  water.  Clysters  of  warm 
water,  flax-seed  tea,  or  water-gruel,  ought  also  to  bo 
given,  and  repealed,  if  necessary,  with  a  handful  of 
fine  salt  in  each.  While  the  stiffness  continues^  feed 
upon  bran  mashes,  with  a  small  quantity  of  oats  ad- 
ded, and  allow  a  little  water,  and  that  entirely  cold. 
Exercise  is  on  nq_ account  to  be  avoided. 

Another  receipe  for  Founder. — Take  one  gill  of 
turpentine,  one  pint  of  hog's  lard,  two  ounces  of  hon- 
ey, one  ounce  of  bees- wax.  Sinuner  these  over  a 
slow  fire  till  it  becomes  mixed  by  stirring.  Anoint 
the  hoof  once  a  week.  This  is  intended  to  remove  the 
effects  in  the  i^eet  of  illy  cured  founder  ;  but  cannot  be 
expected  to  answer  without  the  above  remedies  of  blee- 
ding and  physicing  have  first  thrown  the  disease  out 
of  the  system  and  limbs  as  far  as  possible.  Itmay 
then  serve  to  remove  any  local  effects  in  the  feet. 
BOTTS  AND   BELLY-ACHE. 

All  the  symptoms  of  cholic  and  grubs  or  botis  in  bor* 


87 

ses,  are  so  nearly  alike,  that  few  can  tell  the  differ- 
ence. Uneasiness,  groaning,  looking  back  towards 
his  sides,  laying  down,  &c.,  are  sym|)ioms  of  eilher.— 
But  there  is  one  symptom  said  to  denote  bolls  that 
does  not  accompany  cholic  or  belly-nclir,'ind  that  is, 
the  horse  will  be  seen  to  roll  up  his  upper  lip,  inside 
out,  in  evident  distress.  As  soon  as  these  symptoms 
appear,  whether  botts  or  not,  the  following  remedy  is 
recommended  as  infallible,  by  many,  and  we  will  add 
a  variety  equally  esteemed  by  others  : 

Remedy,  No.  1,  for  BoitsI — Bleed  in  the  neck,  and 
let  the  blood  be  caught  in  bottles,  which  should  be  im- 
mediately poured  down  the  horse.  The  bottles,  while 
held  to  receive  the  blood,  may  be  immersed  in  hot 
water,  to  prevent  coagulation,  and  to  keep  it  in  a  warm 
and  liquid  state  ;  the  horse  should  be  made  to  swallow 
two  or  three  quarts.  It  is  asserted  on  an  experience 
of  thirty  years,  that  this  has  never  failed  to  give  relief. 
Its  operation  is  thus  accounted  for:  the  bolts  leave 
their  holds  and  feed  upon  the  blood,  which  having 
been  given  in  sufficieist  quantity  to  physic  the  horse^ 
carries  them  off;  and  the  bleeding  allays  a!iy  fever 
caused  by  the  attack. 

The  first  Judge  of  this  county,  has  succeeded  in 
two  or  three  cases  in  curing  his  own  horses  by  simply 
bleeding  them  between  the  second  and  third  wrinkle 
of  the  mouth,  and  letting  them  swallow  the  blood  as 
physic  for  the  horse  and  a  bait  for  the  botts. 

Reme'ly  No.  2,  f  )r  Botts. — In  the  morning,  upon 
an  empty  stomach,  let  two  pounds  ot  molasses  be  dis- 
solved in  three  pints  of  new  milk,  and  given  ;  prevent 
the  horse  from  taking  any  food  for  nearly  two  hours, 
then  add  an  ounce  and  a  half  of  laudanum  to  about 
tluee  half  pints  of  warm  water — after  it  is  given  let 
him  be  walked  about  for  nearly  an  hour  and  a  half, 
then  let  a  dose  of  strong  physic  be  given,  and  worked 
off  in  the  usual  way. 

No,  3. — Haifa  gallon   sweetened  milk,  and  in  an 
hour  after,  an  ounce  of  calomel.     This  has  been  suc- 
cessful.    Dr.  Green,  of  Mass.,  says  the  irritation  of 
the  botts  produces  inflammation,  and  renders  a  largo 
bleeding  from  the  neck  proper. 


BS 

No.  4. — Dr.  Morgan,  N.  J.  recommends  a  table, 
epoonful  of  unslacked  lime  to  be  given  with  the  feed 
of  the  horses,  at  night  and  morning,  regularly,  for 
three,  four,  or  fivo  days,  and  it  will  completely  expel 
the  botts. 

No.  6. — Dr.  Loom  is,  N.  C.  says — Make  a  drench 
composed  of  half  a  pint  new  milk,  a  giil  of  molasses, 
an  ounce  of  copperas,  two  spoonsful  of  common  salt, 
and  half  a  pint  of  warm  water.  Give  this  to  the  horse 
once  or  twice  a  day  for  a  few  days,  and  it  will  com- 
pletely expel  the  bolts. 

No.  6,  for  Botts  or  Cholic. — Take  six  red  p^pperSv. 
and  boil  them  m  a  pint  of  water;  strain  them,  and  put 
in  half  glass  gunpowder,  half  a  pint  j^in,  and  mix  them 
in  a  pint  of  molasses,  for  a  dose.     Never  fails. 

No.  7. — Take  1  ounce  of  assafcetida  and  one  ounce 
of  gunpowder,  with  an  equal  proponion  of  salt.  Mix, 
and  rub  it  thickly  on  a  cobb.  with  which  rub  the  horse's 
upper  lip  until  it  nearly  bleeds.  Unaccountable  and 
absurd  as  this  appears,  it  is  said  to  have  given  a  spee- 
dy relief  to  the  animal,  when  tried. 

No.  8,  for  Botts  or  Cholic. — Pour  down  from  three 
to  four  gills  of  linseed  oil,  which  will  physic  the  horse 
and  expel  the  bolts  or  cure  the  cholic. 

To  preserve  a  horse  agaimst  Botts. — Take  of  bees- 
wax, mutton  tallow,  and  supar,  each  eight  ounces,  put 
these  into  a  quart  of  warm  milk,  and  heat  it  until  it  all 
melts  and  mixes,  then  put  the  whole  into  a  bottle,  and 
just  before  it  begins  to  thicken  pour  down.  Two  or 
three  hours  afterwards  give  him  physic. 

Another. — Give  the  horse  accasionnlly  half  a  pint 
of  hard  wood  ashes,  mixed  in  his  grain  or  drink.  Eveo 
giving  him  salt  freely,  will  nine  tunes  out  of  ten  pre- 
serve him  from  the  bolts  ;  if  he  is  atUcked,  give  \nti\ 
a  quart  of  warm  fish  brine,  and  it  will  relieve  him. 

Physic  Jor  a  Horse. — A  strong  decoction  of  moth- 
erwort, mixed  with  Indian  meal,  or  poured  down  out 
of  a  bottle,  is  a  good  physic  and  an  excellent  remedy 
for  worms* 


89 

REMEDY  FOR  HEAVES. 

Take  one  pound  and  a  half  good  ginger.  Give  two 
table  spoonsful  a  day — one  in  the  morning  and  tha 
•other  ill  the  evening,  mixed  with  wheat  bran.  Thi« 
recipe  has  been  sold  repeatedly  for  $o  Qt  the  eastward, 
where  its  efficacy  has  been  proved  by  the  cure  of  sev- 
eral cases  of  obstinate  heaves. 

Another  for  Heaves. — Take  four  gills  of  calf's  blood 
and  as  much  flour  of  nitre  as  will  lay  on  a  six-penny 
piece.  Let  the  blood  be  fresh.  Put  it  into  a  boLtle, 
and  set  it  into  a  ketile  of  warm  water,  and  bring  the 
blood  to  a  stale  not  quite  as  warm  as  a  natural  heat. — 
Give  the  horse  as  much  as  you  can  get  down,  and  if  at 
first  you  do  not  give  the  whole,  put  the  bottle  into  the 
warm  water  aaain,  shake  it,  and  then  pour  down  the 
remainder.  Give  the  same  every  other  day  until  three 
doses  have  been  given.  This  is  a  sure  remedy,  and 
the  person  from  whom  the  recipe  was  procured,  ha* 
recommendations  of  several  gentlernen  of  distinction, 
whose  horses  were  cured  by  him,  in  the  manner  above 
directed. 

CURE  FOR  BROKEN  WIND. 

Take  a  shovelful  of  unslacked  lime  and  put  it  in  a 
tub  oi  vvater.  Give  your  horse  a  bucket  full  every  day, 
and  it  will  effect  a  cure. 

SPRAINS. 

The  following  recipe  for  sprains  in  any  part  of  the 
tiorse,  was  communicated  by  a  Circus  Groom,  who 
never  knew  it  to  fail;  Take  one  ounce  of  saltpetre  in 
half  a  pint  of  high  wines,  and  rub  the  part  affected,' 
and  bathe  it  in  with  a  hot  shovel. 

SHOULDER  SPRAIN. 

This  is  also  communicated  by  f}ie  same  ;  Cut  a 
small  hole  through  the  skin  on  the  shoulder  blade,  and 
with  a  quill  blow  m  until  it  swells  ;  then  rub  Jt  down 
with  the  hand.  Continue  thu^  blowing  and  rubbing 
for  some  time,  and  it  wii!  be  found  an  efTectnal  reme- 
dy. Of  course,  put  a  sij-npJe  sticking  pln^ter,  such  as 
Peleg  White's,  over  th*?  wound,  if  there  is  danger  of 
taking  cold. 


90 

BLACK  TONGUE. 

Symptoms. — Commences  wiih  frothing  at  the  mouth 
or  slobbering;  pimples  next  appear  upon  the  longue, 
wliich  soon  become  small  ulcers,  and  in  a  short  time 
the  moulh  and  tongue  become  very  sore  and  the  tongue 
black  ;  the  animal  cannot  eat  on  account  of  the  sore- 
ness, and  must  starve  to  death  unless  relief  is  given. 

The  followinji  recipe  has  proved  effectual  in  every 
instance  where  it  was  tried,  during  the  prevalence  of 
that  disorder  in  Western  JNew  York,  in  1833-4  ; 

Take  half  a  pint  of  gin,  one  ounce  of  borax,  one 
ounce  of  alum,  and  one  ounce  of  copperas.  Mix,  and 
with  a  sponge  fastened  to  a  stick,  wash  the  mouth  and 
tongue  with  the  mixture,  from  time  to  time  until  the 
disease  abates.  Physic  the  horse,  and  feed  him  on 
bi'an  mashes  and  boiled  oats. 

The  following  is  highly  recommended,  and  is  very 
simple.  It  proved  effectual  in  several  cases  at  Owe- 
go,  as  the  pubhsher  is  well  assured  by  those  who  used 
it. 

Take  some  coarse  salt,  and  add  to  it  enough  water 
to  wet  it  through  ;  scour  the  tongue  and  mouth  well 
witi)  it,  before  it  is  entirely  dissolved.  Then  j)ulver- 
ize  some  salt  petre,  and  blow  it  into  tl.e  mouth  and 
over  the  tongue.  Repent  tlie  above  three  limes  a  day 
until  the  disease  is  checked  ;  then  oil  the  mouth  and 
tongue  with  Imseed  oil.  Physic  him  moderately  with 
salts  every  day,  and  give  bran  mashes  and  boiled  oats. 

The  following  for  Sore  Tongue,  which  is  probably 
the  same  disease,  is  from  a  Boston  publication  : 

*'  By  making  use  of  a  little  tar,  once  a  day,  rubbed 
on  the  tongue  of  the  sound  horses  with  a  swab,  is  an 
effectual  preventive  ;  fur  the  diseased  horse,  lake  a 
common  table  spoonful  of  spirits  of  turpentine  and 
pour  it  on  the  tongue,  as  far  down  as  practicable,  then 
with  a  swab  well  saturated  with  the  spirits  of  turpen- 
tine, mop  every  part  of  the  tongue  ;  after  this  make 
use  ot  the  tar  as  in  the  way  above  mentioned,  as  a 
preventive.  This  done  once  or  twice  a  day,  for  two 
or  three  days,  has  never  failed  to  make  a  cure.'' 


01 

HOOF  DISTEMPER. 

We  are  indebted  to  a  gentleman  of  experience  few 
the  following,  which  hs  has  found  effectual  in  every 
instance : 

Symptoms. — Lameness,  and  breaking  out  like  the 
scratches,  and  the  fro^  npon  exaniinaiicn,  wil!  ho  found 
affected,  which  sends  forth  an  unpleas  nt  ^(nell. 

Cure. — Let  the  shoes  ha  taken  off,  and  the  iioof 
shaved  dov.'n.  th-^'.  fvoq;  oppned,  ^^^i.  some  spirits  of 
turpentine  appheo,  and  bathod  in  with  a  hot  sniivei, 
or  other  iron  :  then  bind  oti  a  poultice  made  of  a  plug 
of  tobacco  soaked  soft ;  wet  the  same  from  time  to 
time  with  tobacco  juice,  to  keep  it  moist.  Physic  the 
animal  moderately,  and  a  cure  will  be  effected. 

Another,  practiced  also  with  success : — Take  of 
verdigris,  spirits  of  turpentine,  bees-wax,  one  ounce  of 
each,  mixed  with  hog's  lard,  applied  as  the  above. 

BoTTs  AGA.IN. — Although  we  have  given  several 
recipes  for  this  compl&int  in  precec^ing  page?,  we  are 
induced  to  insert  the  folio  wins,  communicated  by  an 
experienced  horse  dealer  in  Oneida  county  : 

*^  The  best  remedy,  (says  the  ge'iuleman  alluded  to 
above,)  I  ever  tried,  when  the  botts  are  fastened  to  the 
maw  or  stomach,  is  to  take  one  quart  of  milk,  1  quart 
of  molasses,  and  mix  them  together;  then  give  it  to 
the  horse.  Let  him  stand  ten  minutes,  then  ride  gen- 
tly one  mile.  In  thuty  or  f  jrty  minutes,  give  1  quart 
of  linseed  oil;  then  keep  the  horse  moving  two  hours, 
and  if  he  is  not  easier  by  thiu  time,  you  may  repeat  the 
dose.  The  botts  are  fond  of  this  sweet  dish,  and  they 
fill  themselves  so  full  as  to  become  stupid.  Then  giv- 
ing the  oil  as  a  drench,  they  are  carried  off  with  but 
little  detriment  to  the  horse.  I  have  seen  as  much  as 
a  pint  come  from  Iiim  in  24  hours,  by  the  above  means. 
They  were  still  alive. 

REMEDY  FOR  GLANDERS. 

The  same  gentleman  that  communicated  the  above 
has  also  made  use  of  the  following : 

*'  There  is  no  cure ;  hut  relief  and  assistance  may 
be  given:  Take  one  gallon  of  blood,  and  give  the 
horse  a  drench,  made  of  one  pound  salts  and  a  quarter 
H 


92 

•fa  pound  of  saU  petre;  then  put  a  rowel  in  tlie  hor- 
§e*s  breast.  Be  careful  that  the  horse  does  not  take 
cold.  Bleed  hini  every  other  day,  and  be  careful  to 
keep  his  bowels  open.  Molasses  and  sulphur  are  good 
to  give  the  horse  an  appehte,  and  serve  to  combat  his 
complaint.  In  oneweek^s  time  you  will  see  the  horse 
in  better  spirits.  Assafcelida  is  a  good  remedy  to  keep 
this  complaint  down,  so  as  to  be  unnoticed  by  the 
jockey." 

YELLOW- WATER,  OR  YELLOWS. 

The  following  is  communicated  by  a  respectable 
gentleman  from  Connecticut,  who  witnessed  its  efficacy 
in  several  instances : 

Pulverized  rosin,  2  ounces ;  mix  that  quantity  in  his 
grain  once  every  two  days,  or  oftener  in  a  bad  case. 
It  is  beneficial  to  any  horse  once  a  week  vvhile  he  is 
continued  in  the  stable.  It  carries  off  bad  humors  and 
strengthens  the  appetite ;  gives  life  and  spirit  to  the 
horse. 

REMEDIES  FOR  SPRAINS. 

Mason's  Farrier  prescribes  the  following  reme- 
dies : 

1.  Take  of  sharp  vinegar,  one  pint;  spirits  of  any 
kind,  half  a  pint ;  camphor,  one  ounce  ;  mix  them  well 
together,  and  bathe  the  part  injured  twice  a  day ;  a 
piece  of  flannel  wet  with  the  mixture,  and  wrapped 
round  the  part,  will  be  very  beneficial;  take  from  the 
neck  vein  half  a  gallon  of  blood. 

2.  Take  of  opodeldoc  a  small  quantity,  and  rub  it 
on  the  part  with  the  naked  hand,  until  the  hand  be- 
comes dry,  twice  a  day.  Should  the  injured  part  re- 
sist both  of  these  remedies,  you  may  conclude  the  in- 
jury a  very  serious  one,  which  will  require  time  and 
atlenlicn  to  cure. 

Another. — Take  of  camphor  2  drachm?,  dissolved 
in  half  an  ounce  of  strong  rectified  spirits  of  wine  ;  ni- 
tre, one  ounce,  dissolved  in  half  a  pint  of  wine  vinegar; 
ipirits  of  turpentine,  four  ounces ;  white  lead  or  bole 
armenic,  in  powder,  half  an  ounce ;  aqua  fortis,  one 
ounce.  Mix,  and  shake  them  all  together  in  a  bottle 
for  use.  This  is  an  excellent  astringent  embrocation 
for  stiains  in  different  parts, 


93 

CANKER  IN  THE  MOUTH, 

Take  of  wine  vinegar,  half  a  pint;  burnt  alum  and 
sail,  one  ounce  each ;  bole  armenic,  half  an  ounce.— 
Mix,  and  shake  them  together  in  a  bottle  for  use. 

Tie  a  linen  rag  on  a  stick  half  a  yard  long,  and  with 
it  saturated  with  the  mixture,  dress  the  horse's  mouth 
every  morning  and  evening,  gently  touching  every  af- 
fected part ;  then  leave  him  to  fast  for  an  hour,  and 
give  his  food  as  usual. 

The  horse's  mouth  should  be  examined  frequently, 
as  he  is  very  liable  to  be  injured  by  the  pressure  of  a 
sharp  bit,  in  the  hands  of  a  cruel  or  unskilful  rider  or 
driver. 

OINTMENT  FOR  SCRATCHES. 

Take  of  hog's  lard,  1  pound  ;  white  lead,  4  ouncea  { 
alum  pulverized,  2  ounces^  white  vitriol,  1  ounce; 
sugar  of  lead  half  an  ounce;  olive  oil,  3  ounces;  grind 
all  the  powders  in  a  marble  mortar  with  the  oil,  or  on 
a  marble  or  other  smooth  stone  :  then  add  the  lard,  and 
work  vhe  whole  together  till  united. 

This  is  a  neat  composition,  and  very  proper  to  keep 
in  a  stable  during  the  winter,  for  greasy  and  scratched 
heels,  and  for  wounds  caused  by  stubs  or  treads,  &c. 
Rub  ic  on  parts  affected  every  night  and  morning,  in 
slight  cases  ;  but  in  treads  or  wounds  upon  the  heels, 
it  is  best  to  spread  the  ointment  on  pledgets  of  tow, 
and  secure  them  with  bandages, 

WHITE'S    BALL  FOR  GRIPES. 

Castile  soap,  3  drachms;  camphor,  2  drachms;  gin- 
ger, 1  drachni  and  a  half;  Venice  turpentine.  6  dra'ms ; 
to  be  made  into  a  ball  for  one  dose.  This  may  be 
kept  for  use  in  a  bladder,  by  travellers,  wlio  cannot  ev- 
ery where  prepare  liquid  draughts,  as  prescribed  under 
the  head  of  Cholie  and  Gripes,  in  a  preceding  page. 

LOTION  FOR  BLOWS,  BRUISES,  or  SPRAINS. 

Spirits  of  wine,  8  ounces;  dissolve  in  this,  an  ounce 
of  camphor,  then  add  one  ounce  oil  of  turpentine,  an 
ounce  of  spirits  of  sal  ammoniac,  half  an  ounce  oil  of 
origanum,  and  one  large  table  ipoonful  of  liquid  lauda- 
num. It  must  be  well  rubbed  in  with  the  hand,  for 
half  an  hour,  four  or  five  times  a  day.  You  will  ba 
astonished  at  its  efficacy. 


04 

HORSE  OINTMENT. 

Melt  in  a  clean  vessel,  yellow  rosin  the  bize  of  aa 
egg  ;  add  bees-wax,  same  quantity  ;  half  a  pound  of 
hog's  lard ;  two  ounces  of  honey,  half  a  pound  com- 
mon turpeniine,  each  having  been  melted  before  the 
others  are  added  ;  let  the  whole  boil  gently,  and  keep 
stirring  till  the  turpentine  is  dissolved  ;  then  take  off 
the  kettle  and  put  in  two  ounces  verdigris,  finely 
powdered  ;  set  it  on  again  and  give  it  two  or  three 
stirrings;  then  strain  it  through  a  coarse  sieve  into  a 
clean  vessel  for  use.  Throw  the  dregs  away.  This 
is  an  extraordinary  ointment  for  wounds  or  bruises  in 
flesh  or  hoof,  broken  knees,  galled  backs,  bites,  crack- 
ed heels,  mallenders,  or  when  you  cut  a  horse,  to  heal 
and  keep  the  flies  away.  Nothing  takes  fire  out  of  a 
burn  or  scald  so  soon  even  in  human  flesii.  It  should 
be  kept  on  hand  at  all  times. 

HORSE  MEDICINE. 

Crocus  metulorum,  phenegreck  seed,  salt  petre,  and 
sulphur,  of  each  a  quarter  of  an  ounce  ;  to  be  found 
at  the  Botanical  and  other  drug  shops.  This  is  for 
one  dose,  and  is  excellent  for  horses  in  any  situation, 
to  revive  their  strength  and  spirits,  and  prevent  dis- 
ease. 

BLIND  STAGGERS. 

Simply  physicing  and  keeping  the  bowels  open  is 
best  in  every  case  ;  but  when  the  pulse  is  high,  or  fits 
occur,  bleed  in  the  neck  three  times  a  week.  Take 
an  ounce  of  assafcetida,  one  toaspoonful  of  salt  petre, 
mix  them  and  give  them  as  a  drink  three  times  a  week 
in  the  morning.  Give  an  injection  of  meal,  water, 
molasses,  and  lard,  and  if  needed,  assist  to  remove  the 
hard  dung  with  the  hand,  or  some  other  soft  and 
harmless  instrument.  A  mash  may  be  given  him  of 
bran,  sulpliur,  saltpetre,  sassafras  tea,  and  assafoeti- 
da  ;  but  give  no  drink  for  six  hours.  If  all  this  an.- 
swers  no  purpose  after  a  few  days,  then  take  twenty- 
five  grains  of  calomel,  two  drachms  of  opium,  one 
drachm  of  powdered  fennel  seed,  mixed  with  some 
syrup  into  a  ball,  and  give  one  in  the  morning  for  3 
or  4  days. 

It  is  said  that  the  following  treatment,  after  repeat- 
ed trials,  has  proved  effectual : 


»5 

Take  juico  of  garlic  six  spoonsful,  and  pour  it  down 
the  horse's  throat  by  means  of  a  horn  or  bottle,  or  giv9 
it  as  a  drench.  If  after  two  or  three  hours  there  is 
no  relief,  then  repeat  it.  The  juice  of  the  leek  or  on- 
ion, given  in  a  greater  quantity,  will  produce  nearly 
the  same  effect, 

COUGH  IN  HORSKS. 

Haifa  pound  of  nitre,  quarter  pound  of  crocus  me- 
tallorum,  (black  regulus  of  antimony,)  two  ounces  of 
antimony  :  mix  well  in  a  mortar,  and  make  it  up  into 
doses  of  one  ounce  each.  Let  the  horse  have  one  dos© 
in  a-cold  ma:sh  mixed,  every  night  in  mild  weather, 
for  three  nights  ;  then  omit  it  for  a  week.  If  he  does 
not  get  better,  repeat  it.  Gare  is  necessary  that  the 
horse  should  not  be  exposed  while  warm,  to  stand  in 
a  cold  wind  ;  otherwise  exercise  him  gently,  and  heat 
him  as  usual. 

TO  STOP  BLEEDING. 

When  an  artery  of  a  horse  has  been  cut,  and  it  is 
found  difficult  or  impossible  to  stop  it,  the  following, 
communicated  by  the  First  Judge  of  the  county,  is  a 
never  failing  remedy  : 

Take  a  small  quantity  of  yellow  dock,  bruise  it  and 
dry  it  over  a  gentle  fire,  without  burning  it ;  then  re- 
duce it  to  powder,  apply  it  to  the  wound,  aud  bind  on 
some  lint  securely,  and  this  will  prove  effectual. 

Paste  to  stop  Bleeding.— Tu.\ie  of  fresh  nettles,  one 
handful,  bruise  them  in  a  mortar;  add  blue  vitriol,  in 
powder,  4  ounces  :  wheat  flour,  2  ounces  ;  wine  vin- 
egar, half  an  ounce  ;  oil  of  vitriol,  half  an  ounce, — 
Beat  them  all  together  into  a  paste.  Let  the  wound 
be  filled  up  with  this  paste,  and  a  proper  pledget  of 
tow  ].•'  id  over  the  mouth.  It  should  remain  on  ten  or 
twelve  hours  or  more. 

PREVENT  HORSES  BEING  TROUBLED 
WITH  FLIES. 

Pour  two  or  three  pints  of  water  on  a  few  handsful 
of  walnut  leaves,  let  it  infuse  one  night,  and  with  the 
liquid  anoint  all  the  irritable  parts  of  the  horse,  and 
no  flies  will  trouble  him  where  that  is  applied.  ^ 

b2 


96 

TO  SAVE  HORSES  AT  FIRES. 

Blindfold  them  so  that  they  cannot  see  the  fire,  and 
you  may  lead  them  out  without  any  difficulty.  Other- 
wise it  cannot  be  done,  as  has  been  often  proved. 

TO  PREVENT  HORSES  FEET  FROM  BALL- 
ING WITH  SNOW. 

Cleani^the  feet  and  rub  the  inside  well  with  soft  soap. 
This  is  simple  and  effectual. 


DISEASES 

PECULIAR    TO 

NEAT  CATTLE. 


Before  we  enter  into  a  minute  detail  of  the  cause.«, 
symptoms,  and  cure  of  diseases  generally,  it  will  be 
very  useful  to  say  a  word  or  two  on  their  prevention^ 
and  at  the  same  time  throw  in  a  few  ideas  on  a  subject 
that  ought  to  be  well  understood,  namely,  the  causing 
or  engendering  in  neat  cattle  a  pre- disposition  to  dis- 
ease. 

The  prevention  of  disease  in  cattle  is  an  easier  task 
than  many  people  imagine.  It  consists  in  nothing  more 
than  taking  care,  while  they  are  young,  that  they 
have  good  food,  in  moderate,  but  sufficient  quantities; 
a  due  allowance  of  pure  and  wholesome  water  ;  to  be 
kept  clean  and  free  from  impurities  both  of  the  stable 
and  field  ;  to  be  protected  from  damp  and  unwhole- 
some influences  ;  and  to  be  allowed  moderate  and  free 
exercite.  All  this  is  very  simple — it  is  merely  taking 
nature  for  a  guide,  and  following  implicitly  her  dic- 
tates. A  sound  constitution  will  thus  be  formed,  and 
geneaal  good  health  preserved. 

A  contrary  practice,  of  slighting  them  when  young, 
or  of  feeding  them  ind:scrimina*ely  ;  of  suffering  them 
to  drink  excessively,  cr  of  drinking  standing  and  im- 
pure water  ;  of  allowing  them  to  remain  dirty  in  their 
coats  and  stables  ;  of  subjecting  them  to  all  weathers 
and  influences  ;  and  of  restraining  them  in  their  ex- 
ercise ;  all>  or  any  of  these  practices  weakea  their 


97 

constitutions,  and  lays  the  foundation  of  a  train  of 
disorders  ;  the  nervous  system  becomes  depressed,  the 
digestive  organs  impaired,  and  the  strength  of  the 
whole  body  weakened.  In  this  state  of  comparative 
enteeblement,  they  are  susceptible  of  nervous  diseas- 
es ;  or,  in  other  words,  more  liable  to  their  attack. — 
This  is  what  in  medical  language  is  called  *'  pre-dis- 
position  to  disease,"  and  may  be  considered  the  re- 
mote caute  of  almost  every  complaint  to  which  they 
are  in  after  life  subject.  Cleanliness  above  all  things 
should  be  attended  to,  and  the  cattle  rubbed  down  and 
cleaned  froin  all  filth  as  the  horses  usually  are.  De- 
pend upon  it,  they  will  reward  you  full  as  much  for 
your  labor.  We  have  seen  the  most  astonishing  im- 
provements made  in  cattle  thus  treated  and  otherwise 
regularly  attended  to,  as  above  suggested. 

'  YELLOWS,  OR  JAUNDICE. 

This  disorder  often  occurs  to  neat  cattle,  and  espe- 
cially to  milch  cows  ;  it  attacks  them  mostly  in  the 
spring,  or  autumn  ;  and  consists  of  a  disordered  state 
of  the  third  and  fourth  stomachs,  and  sometimes  of  the 
first. 

Symptomso — In  the  first  stage  of  this  disease,  the 
whites  of  the  eyes  appear  of  a  yellow  tint,  and  as  it 
increases,  the  whole  skin  becomes  impregnated  with 
the  same  yellow  hue  ;  the  ears,  tail,  eyes,  and  mouth, 
are  v/here  it  is  most  conspicuous  to  the  sight ;  after  a 
while,  the  bowels  become  costive,  and  the  teeth  loose. 
Great  debility  of  the  nervous  system  takes  place,  they 
have  an  aversion  to  move,  and  lose  their  appetites, 
and  wander  about  by  themselves.  If  not  attended  to, 
the  udder  may  burst  and  other  serious  injury  ensue. 

Cure. — In  the  first  attack  of  the  yellows,  let  the 
following  drench  be  given  ;  and  if  the  weather  be 
open,  turn  the  animal  into  a  field  where  there  is  but 
bare  pasture  : 

RECIPE  No.  1. — Common  salt,  4  ounces;  Barbadoes  aloes, 
half  an  ounce  ;  ginger,  1  drachm  ;  water,  1  quart ;  anodyne  carmi- 
native tincture,  2  ounces. 

How  to  make  the  Anodyne  Carrainative  Tincture,  mentioned  in 
the  Recipe. — Take  of  the  best  opium,  bruised  cloves,  and  ginger,  1 
ounce  each,  and  a  quart  of  the  best  brandy.  Mix  them  together  in 
a  well  corked  bottle,  shako  it  frequently  for  about  three  weeks  ; 
■when  settled,  strain  it  through  blotting  paper,  and  it  will  be  ready 
for  Qs«  a«  wanted.     Keep  it  corked . 


98 

In  very  violent  attacks  of  this  disorder,  the  drench 
should  be  assisted  by  giving  the  animal  whey  every 
three  or  lour  hours,  and  throwing  up  a  clyster.  The 
swollen  udder  may  have  some  olive  oil  gently  rubbed 
thereon.  And  if  the  animal  be  in  good  condition,  two 
or  three  quarts  of  blood  may  be  taken  with  advantage; 
but  it  must  not  be  turned  oui  to  pasture  the  same  day. 
After  this  disorder  has  yielded  to  medicine,  the  fol- 
lowing is  an  excellent  stomachic  to  invigorate  the  sys- 
tem : 

RECIPE  No.  2. — ^Powdered  cummin  and  anisseeds,  each  two 
ounces ;  gentian  root,  2  ounces  ;  grains  of  Paradise,  in  powdei's, 
and  salt-petre,  1  onnce  each,  and  a  gill  of  molasses.  Mix,  either 
in  a  quart  of  warm  water  or  thin  gi"uel,  for  1  drink,  and  give  it  new 
milk  warm.  Repeat  this  night  and  morning  for  a  few  days,  and 
the  animal  will  be  restored  to  health  and  vigor. 

CHRONIC  INDIGESTION. 

The  pre-disposing  cause  is  feeding  bad  food  during 
the  winter,  and  exposure  to  wet  and  cold  weather, 
which  derange  the  third  stomacii,  and  weaken  the  di- 
gestive system. 

tiymptoms. — The  first  symptoms,  are  listlessness 
of  manner,  followed  by  a  gradual  disrelish  of  food  ; 
the  animal  appears  dull  and  heavy,  and  sometimes  fe- 
verish symptom^  are  induced.  If  the  costivenes  which 
usually  accompany  these  symptoms,  be  not  removed, 
an  inflammation  of  the  bowels  may  be  expected,  and 
must  be  treated  accordingly. 

Cure. — As  soon  as  you  perceive  that  any  of  your 
neat  cattle  are  affected  by  cold,  or  that  they  are  cos- 
tive, give  the  following  purgative  draught : 

RECIPE  No.  3. — Glauber's  salts,  1  pound ;  ginger,  powdered, 
two  ounces ;  and  molasses,  half  a  pint.  Anisseed,  powdered,  one 
ounce,  may  be  added,  if  you  have  it.  Pour  on  three  pints  of  boiling 
water,  dissolve,  and  give  it  inilk  warm. 

In  a  diy  orUvo,  repeat  the  drench,  and  if  it  do  not 
remove  the  costivencss,  administer  the  following  clys- 
ter : 

RECIPE  No.  4. — Warm  thin  gruel,  3  quarts;  common  salt,  8 
ounces;  and  sweet  oil,  half  a  pint. 

Bleeding  may  also  be  applied  to,  if  feverish  or  in- 
flammatory symptoms  appear.  If  the  animal  be  af« 
fected  with  a  cough,  quick  pulse,  a  discharge  from  tho 


90 

nostrilg,  and  soreness  of  the  throat,  it  has  settled  into 
a  catarrh,  and  must  be  treated  accordingly.  See  Ca- 
tarrh. 

DIARRHOEA,  OR  LOOSENESS. 
Cattle  are  most  subject  to  this  complaint  in  the  months 
of  April  or  May,  especially  if  the  season  be  wet  and 
cold;  cows  after  calving, are  very  liable  lo  its  attacks. 
The  predisposing  cause  is  also  bad  food  and  exposure 
in  winter.  But  the  immediate  or  exciting  causes,  ex- 
ist generally  in  the  changreable  state  of  the  weather, 
and  the  want  of  sufficient  vigor  in  the  animal  to  re- 
sist liiose  changes. 

Symptoms. — Frequent  and  copious  evacuations  of 
their  dung,  sometimes  of  a  slimy  or  mucus,  and  at  oth- 
ers of  a  blood}''  appear^mce.  As  the  disease  advan- 
ces, the  beast  is  reduced  in  flesh,  and  loses  its  appe- 
tite, the  dung  has  a  glary  appearance,  and  settles  into 
a  dissentary.  It  may  be  distinguished  from  dyssen- 
tary  by  the  absence  of  gripings,  which  accompany 
the  latter  complaint.    ■ 

Cure. — In  the  first  place  if  the  weather  be  unfavor- 
able, put  the  animal  into  the  cow-house,  or  under 
shelter,  and  give  the  following  drench  : 

RECIPE,  No.  5. — Barbadoes  aloes,  5  drachms;  common  salts, 
6  ounces;  powdered  ginger,  2  drachms  ;  anodyne  carminative  tinc- 
ture [a  recipe  to  make  which  ^\^n  be  found  on  page  97,]  2  ounces  ( 
^nd  water,  1  quar: .      Mix  and  give  early  iR  the  morning. 

If  the  weather  be  favorable,  turn  the  animal  into 
pasture,  which  has  but  a  bare,  short  bite.  In  the  eve- 
ing,  With  the  following  cordial,  astringent  drench; 

RECIPE,  No.  6. — Powdered  catechu,  and  powdered  allspice,  2 
ounce  each,  carraway,  powdered,  half  an  ounce;  and  good  beei*,  or 
table  ale,  1  pint;  Simmer  the  first  three  ingredients  a  few  minutes 
in  half  the  beer,  then  add  the  remainder,  and  give  it  nearly  cold. 

These  drenches  should  be  continued  three  or  four 
days  after  the  scouring  has  ceased,  until  the  dung  re- 
sembles that  of  healthy  cows;  the  feeding,  mean- 
while should  be  such  as  is  easy  of  digestion;  if  your 
hay  be  very  good,  give  it,  a  little  at  a  time,  and  often 
with  a  little  fine  bran,  or  pollard;  and  l°t  the  water  bo 
slightly  warmed.  Hay  tea,  made  by  boiling  an  arm- 
ful of  good  hay,  and  pouring  off  the  liquid,  which  is 
very  nourishing  and  will  pay  well  for  the  trouble. 


100 

DYSSENTERY,  SLIMY    FLUX,  OR  SCOUR- 
ING  ROT. 

Cattle  kept  in  low,  damp,  and  swampy  situations, 
are  at  all  limes  subject  to  the  attacks  of  this  danger- 
ous disease;  but  it  is  most  prevalent  in  autumn.  Di- 
arrhoea, as  stated  before,  is  apt  to  run  into  dyssente- 
ry<,  if  not  properly  treated. 

Symptoms^ — Dung  thin,  slimy,  and  altered  in  color; 
flatulency,  and  severe  gtipings  follow;  the  cow  lies 
dovn  and  gets  up  often,  in  evident  distress  ;  and  as 
the  disease  increases,  the  beast  becomes  reduced  to  a 
weak  and  debilitated  state;  its  appetite  is  lost,  the  dew- 
lap hangs  down  and  has  a  flabby  appearance;  the  dung 
runs  oti'with  a  putrid  and  offensive  smell,  and  as  it 
falls  rises  up  in  bubbles. 

Cure. — Timely  bleeding,  purging  drenches,  and 
clysters.  The  animal  must  be  put  under  shelter,and 
fed  on  good  hay,  ground  oats,  or  crushed  beans,  giv- 
en little  at  a  time  and  often.  If  little  appetite  exist, 
^ive  stiff  gruel  in  a  horn  once  or  twice  a  day. 

As  .soon  as  the  disease  is  observed,  give  the  follow- 
ing opening  drench: 

RECIPE  No.  7. — Epsom  salts,  1  pound;  ginger  in  powders, 
half  an  ounce  ;  anisseed,  in  powders,  half  an  ounce ;  solid  opium, 
cut  small,  1  di-achm.  I'our  three  pints  boiling  water  on  these  in- 
gredients, and  give  it  whun  milk  warm. 

■If  this  does  not  speedily  allay  the  symptoms,  give 
the  drench  No.  4,  on  page  99  ;  and  if  the  eyes  be  in- 
flammed,  the  tvvitchings  of  the  belly  painful,  and  the 
expulsion  of  the  excrements  accompanied  with  se- 
vere gri pings,  take  two  or  three  quarts  of  blood,  and 
give  a  pint  of  salad  oil. 

In  the  worst  stage  of  the  disease,  the  surface  of  the 
body  sliould  be  kept  warm  with  a  woollen  cloth. 

When  the  physic  has  operated,  the  following  as- 
tringent may  be  given  every  other  day,  fcr  4  days: 

llEClPE  No.  8. — Prepared  chalk,  4  ounces;  bole  armeuic,  in 
powder,  2  ounces;  anisseed,  ajid  ginger,  powdered,  1  ounce  each; 
opium,  cut  small,  1  drachm.     Mix  in  warm  gruel  or  ale  for  1  dose. 


STAGGERS,  VERTIGO,  LETHARGY,   SWIM- 
MING OF  THE  HEAD,  OR  PARALYSES 
OF  THE  STOMACH. 

This  disorder  has  many  names,  but  the  symptoms 
are  unequivocal,  and  too  evident  to  be  mistaken.     It 


101 

is  the  highest  degree  of  disease  in  the  digestive  sys- 
tem, in  which  the  muscular  powers  of  the  stomachs 
have  been  so  exhausted,  that  they  are  incapable  of 
contracting  upon  the  food  taken  in  by  the  animal;  for 
although  trom  habit  the  beast  may  continue  to  feed, 
the  appetite  is  so  depraved,  that  it  no  longer  chooses 
its  food,  but  eats,  with  apparent  equal  relish,  or  rath- 
er indifference,  the  coarsest  and  most  indigestive  food. 
It  mostly  attacks  animals  that  have  been  poorly  fed  in 
the  winter,  and  are  in  the  spring  turned  into  a  fertile 
pasture. 

Symptoms. — Heaviness  of  the  head,  and  constant 
disposition  to  sleepiness,  the  animal  sometimes  resting 
its  head  upon  or  against  a  gate  or  hedge,  and  appear- 
ing almost  insensible;  and  if  it  attempts  to  walk,  it 
reels  or  staggers. 
*Cure. — The  first  thing  necessary  is  to  give  the  fol- 
lowing drench,  No.  9,  and  a  clyster  of  salt  and  wa- 
ter, No.  10,  must  then  be  thrown  up,  and  three  or 
four  quarts  of  blood  taken  away: 

RECIPE  No.  9. — Aloes,  6  drachms;  common  salt,  8  otmces; 
powdered  mustai-d,  one  ounce ;  brandy  or  other  spu'its,  half  a  gill ; 
Mix  in  warm  water,  and  add  the  spirits,  and  give  immediately. 

The  following  clyster  will  also  be  necessary  for  ex- 
pelling any  hardened  excrement  which  may  be  lodged 
in  the  bowels: 

No.   10. — Common  salt,  8  ounces,  and  warm  water,  4  quarts. 

If  the  purgative  drench  does  not  act  in  the  course 
of  twenty-four  hours,  give  about  half  the  same  quan- 
tity every  eight  hours,  until  the  effect  be  produced  ; 
and  if  the  complaint  does  not  subside  under  the  united 
treatment  of  purgatives,  clyster  and  bleeding,  each 
repeated  at  intervals,  let  the  following  be  given  to 
act  upon  the  kidneys,  and  thereby  divert  the  blood 
from  the  head : 

RECIPE  No.  11. — Powdered  Rosin,  2  ounces  ;  powdered  nitre, 
ginger,  anisseed,  and  cream  of  tartar,  1  ounce  each;  and  molasses, 
1  pint.  Mix,  and  give  it  in  a  quart  of  ale  or  gruel.  Repeat  tho 
same,  if  necessary,  after  an  interval  of  two  days. 


LOSS  OF  THE  CUD. 
Rumination,  or  the  chewing  of  the  cud,  is,  as  we 
feave  before  stated,  that  motion  of  the  rumen,  or  first 


102 

stomach,  by  which  the  food  is  forced  back  into  the 
mouth  to  be  perfectly  masticated.  This  motion  is  not 
sudden  or  violent,  like  that  of  vomitting;  but  gradual 
and  gentle,  when  the  animal  is  healthy.  When,  there- 
fore, an  animal  ceases  to  perform  this  esi?ential  act  of 
digestion,  it  is  an  evident  proof  that  the  stomach  is 
out  of  order;  it  may  depend  on  the  state  oi  the  first 
stomach,  or  it  may  proceed  from  the  third.  Neither 
of  these  stomachs  can  remain  disordered,  and  the  oth- 
ers be  free  from  disease. 

Cure. — The  drench  prescribed  for  diarrhoea.  Re- 
cipe No.  5,  should  be  administered.  If  there  be  quick- 
ness of  breath,  hot  horns,  and  other  symptoms  of  fe- 
ver, or  inflammation,  the  animal  should  be  bled  freely 
and  the  following  drench  administered: 

RECIPE  No.  12. — Epsom  salts,  10  ounces,  and  whey,  1  quart. 

-Afterwards,  if  the  weather  be  favorable,  turn  the 
animal  into  a  field  with  a  short  bite  of  grass;  but  if  it 
be  wet  keep  it  under  shelter. 


MOOR  ILL,  AND  WOOD  ILL,  OR  EVIL. 

These,  or  rather  this  disorder,  for  it  is  merely  two 
names  for  the  same  disease,  viz:  weakness  of  the  di- 
gestive system,  is  mostly  prevalent  amung  those  cat- 
tle that  are  left  to  pick  up  a  scanty  subsistence  on 
moors  or  commons;  with  now  and  then  a  small  allow- 
ance of  indifferent  hay;  and  is  the  inevitable  conse- 
quence of  poor  and  insufficent  keeping. 

Symptoms. — Debility  and  costiveness,  succeeded  by 
pain  and  stiffness  of  the  joints. 

Cure. — Remove  the  cattle  to  a  better  situation, 
where  the  grass  is  good  and  sweet,  and  where  good 
and  wholesome  water  can  be  obtained;  give  the  fol- 
lowing drink,  and  it  is  most  likely  nothing  more  will 
be  necessary; 

i  RECIPE  No.  13. — Powdered  grains  of  Paradise,  do.  anisseed, 
do.  carraway  seeds,  and  do.  Fenugreek,  2  ounces  each.  Mix  in  2 
pints  of  warm  water,  and  add  two  spoonsful  of  treacle, or  coarse  su- 
gar.    Or. 

No.  14. — Infusion  of  wormwood,  [made  by  pouring  on  it  one 
quart  of  boiling  hot  ale,  and  cover  it  close,]  one  quart ;  long  pop- 
per, powdered,  6  drachms;  grains  of  paradise,  6  drachms. 

Or,  if  very  costive,  you  may  give  the  drink  prescri' 


103 

bed  for  Red-water,  Recipe  No.  5,  or  22.  And  a  few 
drenches  with  ginger  given  afterwards  will  serve  to 
complete  the  cure,  and  re-establish  a  perfect  digestion. 

CLUE-BOUND  OR  FARDEL-BOUND,  AND 
PANTA^. 

These  are  all  different  names  for  one  and  the  same 
coniplaini;  and  its  origin  may  generally  be  traced  to  a 
Bimilar  source  as  the  preceding. 

Symptoms. — in  addition  to  other  symptoms  of  wood 
evil,  it  is  disposed  to  cosliveness;  and  when,  as  is  of- 
ten the  case  in  the  first  stage  of  fevers,  the  thin  ex- 
crements force  their  way  through  the  middle,  or  on 
one  side  of  the  more  hardended  part.  When  this  is 
observed,  speedy  relief  must  be  afforded  to  the  animal 
or  its  life  will  be  in  danger. 

Cure. — The  animal  must  be  removed  into  a  better 
situation,  the  same  as  recommended  in  the  cure  of 
wood-evd:  and  the  draught  No.  3,  page  97,  should  be 
given,  and  repeated,  if  necessary. 

The  following  restorative  drink  will  be  found  very 
serviceable  in  this,  as  well  as  in  many  other  disorders, 
after  the  purgative  drinks  have  sufficiently  operated, 
and  the  animal  becomes  reduced  by  diseases  and  med- 
icine. 

RECIPE  No.  15. — Gentian,  1  ounce;  nitre,  half  an  ounce;  salt 
X)f  steel,  half  an  ounce  ;  anisseed,  carraway,  ginger,  1  ounce  each ; 
molasses,  half  a  pint.  Powder  each  ingredient,  and  give  them  in  a 
quart  of  warm  gruel. 

FLATULENT  CHOLIC,  OR  GRIPES. 

This,  though  not  a  common  complaint,  is  one  that 
gives  the  animal  much  pain,  but  is  easily  relieved  by 
prompt  assistance. 

Symptoms. — The  animal  seems  in  great  pain,  often 
lying  down,  and  getting  up  again:  she  turns  round  her 
liead  to  her  hind  parts,  and  endeavors  to  strike  her 
belly  with  her  horns,  or  hind  leg  ;  her  appetite  fails, 
and  is  indeed  lost,  being  in  too  much  pain  to  be  able  to 
eat  any  thing. 

Cure. — Give  the  opening  drench,   recipe  No.  5;  a 
moderate  quantity  of  whey  may  be  given;  and,  if  ne- 
cessary, a  clyster  of  half  a  pound  of  salt  diluted  in  4 
quarts  of  water. 
I 


^  104 

STOPPAGE  OF  WATER.  RETENTION  OF 
UllIJNE,  OR  STRANGUARY. 

The  stomach  and  bowels  being  loaded,  and  thereby 
swollen  with  air,  the  animal  suffVrs  intense  pain. 

Symptoms. —  Bt'injr  a  part  ot'  ti;e  conipiaiut  termed 
Hoveu  or  Uiown,  see  lliose  diseases.  \Ve  m  ly  add, 
that  the  animal  laboring  under  this  addiiional  disorder, 
often  sirides  as  if  endvavoiing  to  void  its  urine — i)nt 
witiioul  more  effect  than  a  ftw  drops,  and  those  with 
considerable  pain. 

Cure.—Thti  following  opening  drench  may  be  ad- 
ministered: 

RECIPE  No.  16. — Bai'badoes  aloes,  4  drachms  ;  powdered 
ginger,  1  drachm  ;  table  or  common  salt,  4  ounces  ;  water,  1  quart. 
Two  ounces  of  anodyne  carminative  tincture,  or  half  an  ounce  tinc- 
ture of  opium  maybe  added  to  the  first  dose.  A  recipe  for  the  car- 
minative is  given  in  a  preceding  page.  Or.  when  the  above  cannot 
be  had,  take  common  salt,  6  ounces;  a  large  spoonful  of  powdei'ed 
mustai'd  ;  a  quart  of  water ;  a  little  ginger,  and  a  gill  of  gin. 

A  clyster,  similar  to  that  prescribed  lor  fl:i{ulent  chol- 
ic,  is  mdijjpensil)Ie.  There  is  no  d.ffjculty  with  a  cow, 
in  passing  t!ie  fore  finger  into  the  bladder,  and  leltmg 
the  urine  flow  off. 

ATROPHY,  OR  CONSUMPTION. 

This  is  an  incurable  disease  unles:5  taken  early, and 
the  animal  kept  in  a  good  sheltered  pasture,  ksorne 
stock  are  tender,  and  of  weakly  conslituiions  from 
their  birth;  and  therefore  if  placed  in  more  exposed 
and  much  colder  situations  tlian  they  were  bred  in, 
will  be  more  liable  to  consumption,  having  leas  vital 
energy. 

Symptoms. — Tis  disease  is  first  discovered  by  the 
aniujal  having  a  hoose,  or  cough,  and  poking  out  of 
the  neck  ;  if  it  be  now  exammtd  between  the  jaws, 
the  glands  there  are  swollen,  which,  pressing  upon  the 
head  of  the  wind-pipe,  cause  the  beast  to  poke  out  its 
neck  for  breath.  If  the  disease  be  not  checked,  or  if 
it  does  not  yield  to  medicine,  the  lungs  become  afiect- 
ed,  producmg  a  wheezing  and  ddficnily  of  breathing 
on  the  least  exertion.  When  the  lungs  are  once  at- 
tacked,  no  remedy  can  be  applied. 

Cwre, — As  soon  as  the  symptoms  of  this  disease  ap- 
pear, the  animal  must  be  taken  from  the  field,  partic- 


105 

ularly  at  night,  anct  kept  in  a  sheltered  place;  it  should 
then  be  bh^d  gently,  and  have  adaiinisteied  the  purg- 
incr  drink,  recipe  No.  3.  If  not  successful  in  this 
treatment,  set  a  seaton  in  the  dewlap,  and  keep  its  bow- 
els gently  open,  and  give  it  but  httie  solid  food,  and 
that  of  the  best  and  easiest  digested.  The  following 
drink  may  assist  in  the  cuie  : 

RECIPE  No.  17. — Nitre,  2  ounces;  salt  of  steel;  1  oz;  glau- 
ber  salts,  4  ounces  ;  ^injer  and  anissceds,  powdered,  each  one  oz.; 
molasses,  1  pint.  Mix  in  a  quart  of  boiling'  water.  Give  it  blood- 
warm,  and  repeat  the  same  every  third  day. 

DISEASES  CAUSED  BY  OVER-FEEDING. 

In  the  diseases  we  are  about  to  describe,  the  pre- 
disposiii<i  cause  is  not  always  af)parent  ;  on  the  con- 
trary, they  generally  have  their  origin,  developement 
and  lerminiiiioD  in  sudden  causes,  as  tuo  freely  indulg. 
ing  in  rich  nutricious  food,  or  over-eating  after  a  pre- 
vious comparative  abstmence.  Neat  cattle  are  most 
subject  to  these  disorders  in  spring  or  autumn  j  the 
fresh  spriiigintij  grasses,  and  especially  clover,  tempt 
them  to  feed  more  greedily  than  usual  ;  and,  their  di- 
gestive ficuhies  enfeebled  by  their  winter  feed,  or  oth- 
er cause,  uje  incapalle  of  the  extra  exertion  required 
of  them.  In  such  cases  the  system  becomes  oppress- 
ed, and  its  action  paralized  ;  the  effects  are  not  al- 
ways the  same,  but  vary  accordnig  to  the  nature  of  the 
disorder.  Of  these,  the  most  common  is,  Hoven, 
Blown,  or  Bla.-^ted.  There  is  in  that  part  of  the  ru- 
men which  joins  the  second  stomach,  a  kind  of  valve, 
which  during  the  masiicalion  of  the  food,  prevents  the 
escape  of  air.  Iti  this  coaiplaint,  the  animal's  stom- 
ach being  filled  by  an  unusual  quantity  of  food,  be- 
cotnes  distended  beyond  its  capacity  ;  the  tood  then 
ferments,  air  is  evolved,  llie  who  e  body  becomes 
swollen,  rumination  is  completely  put  a  stop  to,  and  a 
considerable  pain  is  produced. 

^ymptojjis. — The  beast  swells,  and  a  difficulty  of 
breathmg  is  produced,  with  much  apparent  uneasi- 
ness :  if  relief  be  not  quickly  afforded,  the  symptoms 
increase,  the  animal  becomes  unable  to  stand,  and 
generally  dies  from  suffocation. 

Remedy. — The  best  cure  is  the  probang,  a  flexible 
instrument  for  this  purpose,  and  often  sold  by  saddler* 


106 

a»d  farriers.  This  being  passed  into  the  stomach, the 
^  confined  air  rushes  out,  and  the  animal  is  for  the  time 
relieved.  When  shis  useful  instrument  is  not  at  hand 
a  very  good  substiiute  may  be  made  with  three  small 
canes,  each  about  six  feet  long.  Bind  them  together 
with  small  twine,  firmly  securing  at  one  end,  a  ball  of 
wood,  about  a  pigeon's  egg  in  size.  To  introduce 
this  into  the  stomach,  the  animal's  nose  should  be  held 
out  in  as  straight  a  line  as  possible  with  the  throat , 
let  an  assistant  hold  it  very  firmly  in  this  posture,  and 
at  the  same  time  let  him  grasp  the  partition  of  the 
nostrils  with  the  fingeis  and  thumb  of  his  right  hand; 
the  operator  can  then  easily  force  the  ball  into  the 
stomach,  and  let  out  the  confined  air. 

Some  farriers  afford  relief  by  plunging  a  sharp  knife 
into  the  distenied  rumeu,  on  the  left  side,  between  the 
last  rib  and  the  hip  bone.  As  soon  as  the  knife  is 
withdrawn,  the  air  rushes  out,  and  relief  is  afforded  ; 
the  wound  is  then  closed  by  a  plaster  of  Burgundy 
pitch  or  Peleg  White's  sticking  salve.  This  is  a  bad 
practice  :  a  second  attack  becomes  more  difilcuU  to 
cure,  as  the  wound  adhetes  to  the  side;  and  every 
repetition  increases  the  danger. 

The  draught  according  to  reciepe  No.  3,  may  be 
given  with  good  effect;  or  the  cordial  driuk  No.  13  or 
14,  may  be  administered  ;  the  beasl  should  then  be 
turned  into  a  bare  pasture,  where  it  must  work  well 
for  a  belly  full,  and  a  cure  will  soon  be  complete. — 
The  following  is  an  excellenfcordial  drink  to  renovate 
the  digestive  system  : 

RECIPE  No.  18. — Mix  ale,  one  pint;  ginger,  powdered,  a 
Bpoon-ful. 

CHOKING. 

Neat  cattle  are  very  subject  to  being  blasted  or 
hoven,  from  eating  too  greedily  of  artificial  grasses,  or 
succulent  roots — in  the  latter  case,  also,  they  are  very 
liable  to  have  a  piece  of  turnip  or  potatoe  slick  in  the 
throat.  When  this  happens,  which  may  easily  be 
known  by  the  animars  efforts  to  swallow  the  obstruct- 
ing piece,  it  should  be  forced  into  the  stomach — this 
may  be  done  by  a  moderate  sized  rope,  about  seven 
feet  long;  by  which  means  also  any  air  coofiDed  in 
the  lumeo  will  escape. 


107 

The  principal  cause  of  this,  which  is  rather  bq  acci- 
dent, than  a  disease,  is  a  disposition  in  the  animal  to 
eat  greedily  and  voraciously,  where  tempting  food 
offers.  The  cure  may  be  completed  by  giving  the 
recipe  No.  IS,  and  a  bare  pfisiure  for  a  while,  to  re- 
novate both  the  appetite  and  digestive  faculties. 
FOG  SICKNESS. 

At  the  latter  end  of  summer,  and  in  autumn,  when 
the  rainy  season  sets  in,  the  grass  generally  becomes 
abundant;  and  shortly  after,  the  mornings  are  fiosty. 
At  this  season,  the  digestive  faculties,  as  well  as  the 
whole  system,  are  weakened  from  the  effects  of  the 
summer  heat,  the  appetite  becomes  morbid  and  irreg- 
ular, and  some  cattle  will  then  eat  voraciously.  They 
then  lie  down  to  ruminate,  probably  when  the  grass  is 
covered  with  hoar  frost;  and  this  together  with  the 
cold  and  damp  of  the  atmosphere,  so  depress  the 
strength  of  the  stomachs,  as  to  put  a  stop  to  the 
digestive  process.  The  body  then  swells,  the  animal 
is  evidently  in  great  pain,  appears  stupid,  and  breathes 
with  difficulty.  Such  are  the  cause  and  symptoms, 
which  so  far  differ  from  Hoven. 

Cure, — The  thing  to  be  done,  is  to  bleed  freely,  the 
habit  being  at  this  season  generally  redundent.  The 
Probang,  as  used  for  Hoven  and  Blown  Cattle,  should 
be  then  employed,  and  the  drench  No.  3,  may  be  giv- 
en ;  when  this  has  operated,  the  cordial  drink  No.  13 
or  14,  should  be  administered,  and  the  cure  may  be 
considered  as  effected.  Or  the  following  drench  may 
be  substituted  in  this  case,  if  more  handy  than  the 
other: 

RECIPE  No.  19. — Common  salt,  10  ounces;  mustard,  powder- 
ed, two  table  spoonsful,  or  a  teaspoonful  of  ginger ;  water,  1  quar^ 
gin,  half  pint.     Mix,  for  one  dose. 

MEADOW  SICKNESS. 
When  cattle  are  turned  into  rich  meadow  pasture 
some  of  them  are  sometimes  found  suddenly  very  ill, 
and  appear  as  if  they  wanted  to  vomit.  Mr.  Bromege, 
on  finding  six  of  his  cows  ill  as  above,  soon  after  they 
had  been  turned  into  a  rich  meadow,  he  immediately 
drove  them  into  a  bare  pasture,  in  which  were  a  num- 
ber of  mole  casts.  The  sick  cows,  led  by  instinct,  went 
in 


108 

immediately  to  the  laole  heaps,  and  eat  of  the  earth 
very  greedily.  He  did  not  interrupt  them,  but  await- 
ed the  effect ;  and  in  a  short  time,  lie  had  the  pleasure 
to  see  them  ail  recover.  He  observed  also,  that  the 
other  cows  did  not  attempt  to  touch  the  mole  heaps. 

Tlii:*  circumstance  being  communicated  to  Mr. 
White,  that  gentleman  was  led  to  an  inquiry,  the  re- 
sult of  which  proved  that  when  animals  gorge  them- 
selves, an  acid  forms,  which  passing  into  the  fourth 
stomach,  causes  considerable  irritation  and  pain.  This 
acidity  is  corrected  by  chalk,  or  carbonate  o{  lime. 
Under  these  convictions,  Mr.  White  was  induced  in 
cases  of  this  kind,  as  well  as  when  cattle  were  Hoven, 
to  prescribe  either  of  the  following: 

RECIPE  No.  20. — Common  salt,  4  ounces;  carbonate  of  soda, 
1  ounce ;  powdered  aloes,  half  an  ounce ;  powdered  ginger,  2 
drachms ;  water,  1  quart ;  anod3'ne  carminative  tincture,  2  or  3 
ounces,  (recipe  for  the  tincture  is  given  in  a  preceding  page.) 

Mix,  for  1   draught.      Or 

No.  21. — Common  salt,  6  ounces;  carbonate  of  soda,  1  ounce 
and  a  half;  powdei'cd  mustard,  1  ounce  and  a  half;  ale,  1  pint  ; 
water,  1  pint.      Mix,  for  1  draught. 

PRECAUTIONS  AGAINST  OVER-FEEDING. 

When  cattle  ar,e  first  turned  into  rich  pasture,  let 
them  remain  not  more  than  an  hour  at  a  time,  partic- 
ularly if  clover,  and  then  drive  them  into  a  bare  pas- 
ture ;  by  which  means  they  will  be  gradually  inured  to 
the  change,  and  all  diseases  arising  therefrom  prevent- 
ed. 

Generally  speaking,  a  bare  pasture  is  the  only  rem- 
edy required  to  renovate  the  digestive  system,  when 
impaired  by  previous  excess.  And  to  keep  it  good, 
let  them  fVed  well,  and  but  liitle  at  a  time.  And 
whenever  the  brain  is  oppressed  by  repletion  of  blood, 
which  is  indicated  by  heaviness  or  evincing  a  disposi- 
tion to  sleep,  bleed  freely,  or  more  sparingly,  accord- 
ing to  the  emergency. 

DISEASES  FROM  A  REPLETION  OF  BLOOD. 
This  class  of  Diseases  comprehends  the  inflamma- 
tory, and  other  similar  attacks,  which  are  consequent 
upon  the  whole  habit  being  oppressed  by  a  superabun- 
dance of  blood.  Bleeding,  and  that  promptly  and  free- 
ly, even  to  faintness,  is  the  general  and  only  cure. — 


100 

Olhef  remedies  may  be  useful,  and  even  essential  to 
renovate  the  system  ;  but  it  is  upon  copious  bleeding 
that  tile  life  of  the  animal  generally  depends, 

RED  AND  BLACK  WATER. 

These  two  complaints  are  but  different  stages  of  the 
same  disease;  the  one  proceedinj^  from  indigestion, 
and  the  other  resulting  from  a  neglect  to  remove  the 
early  symptoms,  and  terminating  in  inflammation  of  the 
kidneys. 

The  pre-disposing  cause  may  be  laid  to  the  account 
of  bad  hay  or  other  indifferent  food,  upon  which  the 
animal  has  been  kept,  perhr^ps,  during  winter,  and 
which  contained  more  fibre  than  nourishment. 

These  fibrous  particles  accumulate  in  the  third  sto- 
mach, and  thereby  depress  and  weaken  the  digestive 
system  :  sometimes  they  form  into  cakes  of  matted 
fibre,  and  altogether  prevent  the  action  of  the  third 
stomach.  While  in  this  state,  the  animal  feeds  greedi- 
ly, particularly  on  grass  lands,  and  drinks  freelyj  hence 
it  is  that  blood  is  quickly  formed  ;  and  the  action  of 
the  stomach  being  impeded,  the  kidneys  are  oppress- 
ed by  an  unusual  suffusion  of  blood;  the  consequence 
is,  that  blood  passes  off  with  the  urine,  sometimes  so 
copiously,  that  the  animal  bleeds  to  death.  In  a  cow 
the  milk  is  soon  reduced  in  quantity,  and  as  the  dis- 
order advances,  becomes  discolored  ;  the  beast  is  fre- 
quently so  weak,  as  to  be  unable  to  rise  when  down. 

Symptoms. — They  have  been  very  generally  de- 
scribed in  the  above  statemerrt ;  in  addition,  we  may 
observe,  that  the  excrement  is  sometimes  discharged 
with  considerable  force,  but  a  small  stream,  watery, 
and  mixed  with  hard  nobs,  forced  from  the  matter  ac- 
cumulated in  the  fourth  stomach  ;  sometimes  they 
stop  up  the  passage  of  the  fundament ;  and  then  the 
finger  must  be  introduced  to  remove  the  clots,  or  a 
clyster  thrown  up. 

Cure. — A  saline  laxative  medicine  is  most  proper  in 
this  disease,  to  open  the  bowels  ;  recipe  No.  5,  or  ei- 
ther of  the  following,  will  answer  the  same  purpose: 

RECIPE  No.  22. — Aloes,  6  drachms  ;  glauber's  salts,  6  ounces; 
calomel,  1  ounce  and  a  half;  carraways,  powdered,  1  ounce;  water 
1  pint.     Mix,  and  give  it  milk  warm.     Or, 

Ko.  33. — Epeom   salts,  C  or  8  ounces;  water,  on»  pint;  Mittor 


110 

•r  otire  oil,  6  or  8  ounces.     Ten  ounces  common  salt  may  b*  «ib« 
Btituted  for  the  salts,  when  more  handy. 

Where  the  medicine  given  does  not  operate  freely^ 
assist  it  by  drenching  the  animal  with  whey.  Take 
two  quarts  of  blood,  or  more,  according  to  the  state 
of  the  animal's  habit. 

When  you  succeed  in  removing  the  hardened  ex» 
crement  Irom  the  third  stomach,  and  in  putting  a  stop 
to  the  discharge  of  blood  with  the  urine,  aitention 
should  be  paid  to  the  animal's  diet,  as  the  digestive 
system  is  in  a  very  weakened  state.  Nothing  is  bet- 
ter adapted  for  this  purpose  than  a  field  where  the 
grass  is  short  and  sweet,  and  where  it  must  exercise 
itself  to  obtain  a  proper  quantity  of  food. 

The  disease  being  of  an  inflammatory  nature,  bleed- 
ing is  indispensable;  take  about  two  quaits  of  blood, 
and  if  necessrry  repeat  it  the  next  day. 

Mr.  White  pursued  this  practice  successfully,  and 
never  lost  one  through  rod  water  afterwards.  If  it 
be  accompanied  with  looseness,  or  symptoms  of  pain, 
as  a  straining  or  holding  out  of  the  tail,  give  in  pre- 
feience  the  recipe  No.  5,  and  afterwards  administer 
the  cordial  drink,  recipe  No.  13. 

The  following  ball  being  of  a  more  astringent  na- 
ture, may  be  administered  vvith  good  effects,  after  the 
costiveness  has  been  subdued. 

RECIPE  No.  24. — Venice  turpentine,  4  ounces;  nitre  in  pow- 
der, bay-berries  powdered,  Armenian  bole  powdered,  two  ouncei 
each  ;  alum,  powdered,  4  ounces. 

Make  it  into  one  ball.  Slice  it  into  a  quart  of  hot  gruel,  give  it 
milk  warm.     Let  it  be  repeated  every  other  night. 

DOWNFALL,  UDDER   ILL,  SORE  UDDERS, 
INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  UDDER. 

From  the  intimate  connection  between  the  fourth 
stomach  and  the  udder,  the  reader  will  be  at  no  loss 
to  understand  that  when  that  is  out  of  order,  the  ud- 
der, and  consequently  the  quality  and  quantity  of  the 
milk,  must  be  materially  affected.  These  or  rather 
this  complaint,  for  they  are  all  one,  or  different  stages 
of  the  same  disease,  of  which  the  pre-disposing  cause 
is  bad  feeling,  and  the  exciting  or  immediate  cause,  a 
cold,  or  inflammation  of  the  udder,  is  essential  to  be 
taken  in  time,  and  of  the  utmost  consequence  to  ow«- 


ill 

er^  of  young  cattle,  who  are  very  liable  to  its  attack ^ 
especially  at  the  time  of  calving. 

Symptoms. — One  or  more  quarters  of  the  udder  be- 
comes swollen,  hardened,  hotter  than  common,  and 
painful  when  pressed  ;  the  milk  is  reduced  in  quantity, 
and  changed  to  a  ragged,  bloody,  or  corrupt  appear- 
ance. At  other  times,  the  secretion  of  milk  is  stopped, 
and  the  tumefied  quarter  proceeds  to  a  state  of  suppu- 
ration- It  not  unfrequently  happens  that  the  hinder 
extremeties,  at  the  same  time  become  swollen  and  in- 
flamed, especially  about  the  hip  joint,  hock,  and  fet- 
lock ;  which  often  disables  the  animal  from  rising 
when  down.  Sometimes  the  symptoms  of  this  disease 
assume  a  different  appearance,  and  the  udder  is 
scarcely  or  not  at  all  affected  ;  but  the  disease  appears 
confined  to  the  joints  ;  vvhich  is  known  by  their  being 
swollen  and  inflamed,  and  attacking  such  cows  as  are 
liable  to  the  downfall  in  the  udder. 

Cure. — As  soon  as  the  disease  is  discovered,  re- 
move the  animal  from  the  pasture,  and  take  from  her 
three  or  four  quarts  of  blood  ;  especially  if  the  cow 
be  in  good  condition,  and  breathes  quickly,  and  ap- 
pears stupid  ;  do  this  at  night,  and  the  next  morning 
give  her  the  drink  as  per  recipe  No.  5,  or  No.  3.  If 
it  be  damp  and  cold,  keep  her  under  shelter,  and  feed 
her  moderately  with  nourishing  food  ;  but  if  the 
weather  be  fine,  turn  her  into  a  bare  pasture,  where 
she  will  be  obliged  to  exeit  herself  for  her  food.  The 
swollen  udder,  or  rather  that  part  of  it  which  is  affec- 
ted, [for  only  one  quarter  is  usually  aflected  at  the 
same  time,]  should  have  the  bad  milk  drawn  from  it 
three  or  four  times  a  day  ;  for  if  suffered  to  remain 
in  it,  it  will  irrhate  and  increase  the  inflammation. — 
Bathe  it  also  after  milking  with  olive  oil,  or  elder 
ointment  ;  and  if  the  swelling  continue,  and  be  not 
very  tender,  the  following  embrocation  will  be  of 
great  service  : 

RECIPE  No.  25. — Olive  oil,  3  ounces  ;  oil  of  turpentiue,  1  oz. ; 
,  and  camphor,  2  drachms.      Mix. 

Or,  No.  26. — Soft  soap,  4  ounces  ;  spring  water,  1  pint ;  rectified 
spirits  of  wine,  and  do.  turpentine,  2  ounces  each.  Dissolve  the 
Boap  in  spring-  water  boiling  hot ;  and  when  cold,  add  the  spirit  of 
wine  and  turpentine. 

Let  this  mixture  be  well  rubbed  on  the  part  affected 


i]2 

night  and  morning,  after  the  milk  has  been  drawn  off; 
and  if  the  udder  be  very  bad,  repeat  the  milking  in 
the  middle  of  the  day,  and  bathe  the  parts  affected 
with  cold  water. 

When  the  purging  draughts  have  operated,  give 
the  following  occasionally,  which  will  not  only  help 
to  eradicate  the  disease,  but  is  excellent  as  a  preven- 
tive of  its  recurrence  : 

No.  27. — Nitre,  2  ounces  ;  powdered  aloes,  half  an  ounce;  salt 
of  tartar,  1  ounce ;  yellow  resin,  powdered,  4  ounces  ;  juniper  ber- 
ries, powdered,  and  ginger  do.  2  ounces ;  molasses,  a  gill.  Mix, 
and  give  it  wann. 

BLAIN,  OR  FEVER,  WITH  SWELLING. 

Called  also  by  the  name  of  hawkes,  or  gargyse,  is 
a  disease  which,  ahhough  not  unfrequent,  in  general 
is  not  discovered  until  it  has  made  some  progress  ;  it 
then  appears  with  a  ssvelling  of  some  part,  and  in 
some  lew  instances,  extends  over  the  whole  surface 
of  the  body,  accompanied  with  feverish  symj)toms. 

Symptoms. — The  animal  appears  dull  and  languid  ; 
the  eyes  red  and  inflamed,  with  tears  trickling  from 
them  ;  swelling  in  some  part  of  the  body,  as  about 
the  nose,  lip,  and  under  the  chops,  extending  to  the 
brisket,  or  even  under  the  belly  till  the  udder  is  affect- 
ed. Sometimes  the  swelling  begins  about  the  eyes, 
and  appears  on  other  parts  of  the  body;  there  are  of- 
ten blisters  under  the  tongue,  and  back  part  of  the 
mouth  ;  the  pulse  is  quicker  than  natural  ;  there  is 
more  or  less  beating  of  the  flanks,  and  the  bowels  are 
somotim'.js  bound.  As  the  complaint  ad^/ances,  a  co- 
pious flow  of  saliva  proceeds  from  the  mouth  ;  the 
beast  gets  weak,  and  reduced  ;  a  C(:nsiderable  quan- 
tity of  watery  matter  congregates  in  the  tumefied  part; 
which  must  be  discharged  by  puncturing  wiih  a 
knife. 

Care. — Ulecding  is  chiefly  to  be  depended  on  in 
the  cure  of  this  disease  ;  on  its  first  appearance,  three 
or  four  quarts  of  blood,  according  \o  the  size  and 
strength  of  the  beast,  s-hould  be  takt-n  away,  and  re- 
pealed if  necessary.  After  bleeding,  administer  the 
following  cooling  purging  drink  : 

RECirE  No.  28.— Salts,  12 ounces;  nitre,  1  ounce ;  ginger  an^ 
jinnisseed,  powdered,  half  an  ounce  each.  Pour  oa  tijree  piat*  o* 
Vwiiljpj  water,  oai  give  it  warm^ 


lis 

PUERPERAL,  OR  MILK  FEVER,  AiND  IN- 
FLAMMATION OF  THE  WOMB. 

This  disease  is  most  peculiar  to  cows  in  liigh  con- 
dition at  the  tim^'  of  calving,  or  is  hrought  on  hy  force 
improperly  used  in  delivery.  It  is  mo<tnpt  to  ha;ipen 
in  the  hot  months  of  summer  ;  and  the  cows  most  pre- 
dispo«:ed  to  it,  hrwe  generally  inrge  udders  very  full 
of  milk  several  days  hefore  calving,  which  are  ofien 
much  inflamed  and  swelled.  It  is  a  dangerous  divS- 
ease,  when  severe,  and  often  proves  fatal. 

Symptoms. — The  first  appearances  of  milk  fever 
are  generally  perceived  about  the  second  or  third  day 
after  calving  ;  the  animal  refrains  from  her  food, 
looks  dull  and  heavy,  and  walks  as  if  she  hid  caught 
cold  ;  a  cold,  shivering  fit  comes  on,  accompanied 
with  debility,  so  weakening,  that  the  beast  commonly 
drops,  and  is  often  unable  to  rise,  until  lelief  is  affor- 
ded. She  Lecomes  very  restless,  and  appears  to  feel 
in  great  pain  in  th^  body,  as  she  often  looks  towards 
her  flanks,  and  kicks  with  her  feet.  As  the  disease 
proceeds,  t!ie  head  becomes  affected,  she  loses  her 
senses,  and  will  knock  and  bruise  her  head,  and  the 
pulse  is  now  quick,  and  the  tongue  pnrching  dry. — 
Unless  the  disease  is  subdued,  fatal  consequences  will 
soon  follow. 

Remedy. — Tf  the  feverish  symptoms  run  high,  and 
are  attended  with  much  pain,  bleed  copiously,  and  re- 
peat it  if  necessary  ;  but  if  the  fever  be  but  slight, 
the  animal  should  be  bled  but  once,  and  that  only  in 
propoition  to  her  strength.  Let  the  following?  drink 
be  given  as  soon  as  possible,  and  repeated  every  20 
hours  : 

RECIPE  No.  29. — Powdered  alum,  4  ounces;  nitre,  1  ounce; 
grains  of  Paradise  and  anisseeds,  fresh  powdci'ed,  1  ounce  each ; 
solid  opium,  cut  small,  half  a  drachm  ;  molasses,  half  a  pint.  Pour 
on  a  quart  of  boiling  water,  cover  it  tight,  and  give  it  when  nearly 
cool. 

If  the  bowels  be  not  readily  moved  by  the  purgative 
drink,  inject  the  following  clyster  : 

RECIPE  No.  30. — Gruel,  thin,  3  quarts  ;  com.mon  salt,  8  ounces; 
spirits  of  turpentine,  half  a  pint ;  molasses,  4  ounces  ;  mix,  and  in- 
flect it  warm. 

When  the  bowels  are  opened,  and  the    animal  in 


114 

low  and  unable   to   rise,  give   the  following  cordial 
drink,  and  repeat  it  if  necessary  : 

RECIPE  No.  31. — Powdered  grains  of  Paradise,  half  an  ounce  ; 
ginger,  powdered,  half  an  ounce ;  anisseed,  powdered,  carraway 
do.  and  mustard  do.  2  ounces  of  each ;  salt  of  tartar,  and  oil  of  tur- 
pentine, half  an  ounce  of  each  ;  molasses,  half  a  pint ;  and  a  glass 
of  brandy.      Mix,  and  give  it  in  a  quart  of  warm  gruel. 

The  patient  requires  care  and  good  nursing;  the 
stall  to  be  well  littered,  and  it  is  fiequeutly  necessary 
to  cover  them  with  a  blanket,  or  some  warm  covering 
when  they  are  cold  and  sl-iivering.  The  udder  should 
be  rubbed  two  or  three  times  a  day,  for  about  half  an 
hour  each  time,  with  soft  soap,  or  pipe-clay,  and  cold 
spring  water,  which  will  assist  in  subduing  the  in- 
flammation. The  paps  should  also  be  drawn  occa- 
sionally, to  encourage  the  flow  of  her  milk  ;  and  if 
the  mifk  appear,  it  is  a  good  sign.  As  they  are  fre- 
quently unable  to  take  nourishment  sufficient  to  sup- 
port themselves,  it  will  be  essential  to  assist  them. — 
For  this  purpose  give  the  followhig 

GRUEL. — 'Make  a  stiff  gruel,  of  an  equal  quantity  of  linseed 
powdered,  and  oatmeal,  boiled  in  water ;  sweeten  it  with  molasses 
or  sugar,  a  little  salt,  and  give  from  2  to  4  quarts  tluxe  or  four- 
times  a  day,  warm. 

Prevention. — The  best  way  to  prevent  this  disease 
is  to  take  four  or  five  quarts  of  blood  from  the  be-^st, 
about  eight  or  ten  days  before  her  time  of  calving  ; 
let  this  be  done  at  night,  and  keep  her  in  a  fold  yard 
till  morning.  The  purging  drink  No.  29,  should  be 
given  before  the  animal  is  put  to  grass  ;  and  this 
treatment,  together  with  proper  food,  and  none  hut 
pure  ivater  will  cool  the  body,  and  obviate  the  tenden- 
cy to  inflammation  in  the  udder. 

MURRAIN,  OR  COMMON  FEVER, 
Murrain  is  a  near  approach  to  common  fever,  at- 
tended with  local  inflammation. 

Symptoms, — A  shivering,  and  trembling  of  the 
limbs  ;  want  of  appetite  ;  cough  or  hoosing,  some- 
times accompanied  with  tears  ;  the  mouth  affected 
with  blisters,  or  white  spots  ;  in  a  milch  cow,  the  se- 
cretion of  milk  is  diminished.  In  a  few  days,  the  in- 
flammation extends  to  the  lungs  ;  the  pulse  quick  ; 
about  sixty  to  a  minute  ;  the  muzzle  dry  ;  the  head, 
horns,  and  breath  hot ;  the  body  and  limbs  cold.     As 


xxa 


the  disease  proceeds,  these  symptoms  aggravate,  and 
without  prompt  and  proper  care,  terminate  fatally. 

Cure. — House  the  animal  by  itself,  and  bleed  it  co- 
piously ;  in  general,  three  bleedings  are  requisite,  one 
each  day.  Set  a  seton  in  the  dewlap,  and  keep  it 
running  some  time.  Give  thra  purging  drink  No.  29, 
and  repeat  it  occasionally.  Keep  the  beast  clean,  by 
rubbing,  and  by  being  well  littered,  and  give  it  scald- 
ed bran,  or  bruised  malt,  with  a  little  ground  corn. — 
On  the  turn  of  the  disorder,  if  the  animal  be  low  and 
debilitated,  the  restorative  drink  No.  15,  will  be  very 
useful. 

Ajter  trealmenty  or  eradication  of  the  disease. — On 
the  recovery  of  the  animal,  the  cow  house,  or  place 
in  which  it  was  sheltered,  should  be  made  comfortable 
and  very  clean,  but  properly  ventilated;  all  the  litter 
must  be  burned  ;  and  if  the  disease  was  malignant,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  fumigate  the  house  and  every 
thing  in  it,  with  the  following  mixture  : 

Fumigating  Mixture. — Common  salt,  2  pounds  ;  oil  of  vitriol,  1 
pound.  Place  the  salt  into  an  earthen  vessel,  in  the  middle  of  the 
cow-house,  and  pour  the  acid  gradually  on  it,  stir  it  well  about  with 
a  long  stick,  and  immediately  leave  the  place,  and  close  the  door. 

This  should  be  done  at  least  twice. 

CATARRH,  FELLON,  COLD,  EPIDEMIC.  FE- 
VER, INFLUENZA,  OR  DISTEMPER. 

All  these  are  the  name  of  one  distemper,  and  that  a 
cold,  which  prevails  most  in  spring,  when  wet  and  cold 
weather  prevails.  It  is  also  caused  by  sudden  changes 
from  heat  to  cold  ;  drinking  freely  of  cold  water,  when 
over  heated.  Sometimes  it  comes  on  without  any  per- 
ceptible cause,  and  prevails  in  so  great  and  so  malig- 
nant a  degree,  as  to  appear  contagious. 

Symptoms. — The  beast  appears  dull  and  heavy,  with 
weeping  ayes  ;  the  nose  is  dry;  the  coat  looks  staring, 
the  hair  seeming  to  stand  the  wrong  way  on  the  animal's 
back  ;  loss  of  appetite  ;  and  if  a  milch  cow,  her  milk 
is  much  lessened  in  quality,  or  she  is  said  to  trick  of  her 
milk.  If  the  hand  be  pressed  upon  the  chine,  or  any 
part  of  the  back,  the  animal  mostly  gives  way;  it  is 
then  called  the  chine  fellon — at  other  times,  the  joints 
are  raor©  particularly  affected,  it  \»  then  termed  the  joint 


118 

fellon.  When  the  cold  is  more  violent,  feverish  symp- 
toms appear ;  the  breathing  becomes  more  rapid  and 
difficult ;  the  flanks  work  much,  the  animal  hooses,  the 
pulse  is  quick,  the  nose  and  mouth  dry,  the  breath  hot ; 
the  beast  becomes  restless  ;  mooves  i'rom  one  place  to 
another  in  evident  distress ;  and  the  bowels  become 
costive.  Inflammation  of  the  lungs  or  bowels  may 
now  be  said  to  be  produced. 

Cure, — Where  the  feverish  or  inflammatory  symp- 
toms have  not  yet  appeared,  a  worm  cordial  drink,  as 
the  following,  will,  by  acting  as  a  stimulant  to  the  stom- 
ach, assist  the  defective  digestive  energy,  and  (in  the 
cow,)  increase  the  secretion  of  milk;  it  also  restores 
the  obstructed  perspiration,  and  enables  nature  to  re- 
sume her  former  course : 

RECIPE  No.  34.— CORDIAL  DRINK.— Fresh  powdered 
sweet  fennel  seeds,  and  cummin  seeds,  two  ounces  each;  powdered 
long  pepper,  turmeric,  ginger,  and  elecampane  one  ounce  each ; 
molasses  or  sugar,  two  ounces.  Pour  on  a  quart  of  boiling  hot  ale 
or  gruel,  and  cover  down  tight.     Give  it  when  nearly  cool.     Or, 

RECIPE  No.  13 — Powdered  grains  of  Paradise,  do.,  aniseed, 
do.  carraway  seeds,  and  do.  Fenugreek,  2  ounces  each.  Mix  in 
two  pints  of  warm  water,  and  add  two  spunful  of  treacle,  or  coarse 
sugar. 

Those  drinks  will  effect  a  cure,  occasionally  repeat- 
ed, if  no  feverish  symptoms  ensue ;  but  if  they  do,  a 
free  bleeding  must  be  applied  to,  and  repeated,  if  ne- 
cessary; and  the  treatment  should  be  the  same  as  for 
inflammation  generally. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  STOMACH. 

It  is  a  serious  disorder,  and  takes  place  in  various 
degrees,  each  varying  in  its  symptoms,  but  all  bearing 
sufficient  resemblance  to  each  other  to  determine  the 
complaint. 

Symptoms. — Heaviness,  dullness,  and  loss  of  appe- 
tite ,  the  lungs  are  affected  ;  the  breathing  disturbed  ; 
and  sometimes  accompanied  by  a  hoose,  or  cough;  the 
milk  of  the  cow  is  affected,  both  in  quality  and  quan- 
tity ;  and  the  animal  is  in  great  and  evident  pain. 

Cure. — Bleeding  is  the  first  remedy  in  this  as  in  all 
other  inflammations,  which  must  be  done  copiously,  es- 
pecially when  it  has  been  accustomed  to  good  pasture ; 
and  then  i  saline  opening  drench  may  be  given : 


117 

RECIPE  No.  35. — Epsom  «alt§,  ten  ounces ;  carbonate  of  soda, 
12  drachms;  water,  one  quart;  castor  oil,  six  ounces.     Mix, 

When  it  has  arisen  from  feeding  on  bad  hay,  the  fol- 
lowing is  decidedly  the  best  drink: 

RECIPE  No.  36. — Barbadoes  aloes,  6  drachms;  powdered 
ginger,  one  and  a  half  drachms;  water,  one  quart;  Epsom  salts, 
two  ounces ;  carbonate  of  soda,  six  drachms ;  tincture  of  opium, 
eix  do. 

Whey,  or  thin  bran  meshes,  are  perhaps  the  best  food, 
while  the  beast  is  under  cure  ;  drinking  freely  of  water, 
slightly  warmed,  will  assist  in  blearing  the  stomach,  and 
a  clyster  thrown  up  will  be  an  advantage ;  light,  good 
food,  perfectly  easy  of  digestion,  must  be  at  first  care- 
fully observed,  and  when  the  stomach  is  cleared,  the 
animal  may  be  kept  better ;  but  this  must  be  done  cau- 
tiously, as  it  will  take  some  little  time  to  restore  the  di- 
gestive system  to  its  wonted  energy. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  KIDNEYS. 

The  immediate  or  exciting  cause  ofaccute  inflamma- 
lion  m  the  kidneys,  are  blows  on  the  loins,  strains,  or 
violent  exertions,  as  by  one  animal  riding  another 
while  in  heat,  as  well  as  by  a  superabundant  determina- 
tion of  blood  to  the  region  of  the  kidneys  ;  and  nearly 
resembles,  in  this  respect,  red  water. 

Symptoms. — A  frequent  desire  to  void  urine,  and 
which  is  done  with  difficulty,  in  small  quantities.— 
And  instead  of  being  transparent,  and  nearly  limped,  it 
is  bloody,  or  dark  colored. 

Cure. — Bleeding  freely,  is  the  first  remedy,  and  then 
the  saline  opening  drench,  as  per  recipe  ISo.  16,  may 
be  administered.  If  the  urine  continues  bloody,  or  of 
a  red  color,  after  the  pain  and  difficulty  have  gone  off, 
give  the  astringent  drink.  No.  6.  The  slate  of  the 
bowels,  however,  must  be  attended  to,  and  costiveness 
avoided,  or  removed  when  it  takes  place.  Good,  light, 
nourishing  food  is  also  essential  to  perfecting  a  cure. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BOWELS. 

This  disease  is  the  second  or  inflammatory  state  of 
the  complaint  called  blasted  or  hoven,  and  requires 
prompt  and  efficient  relief,  or  it  will  prove  fatal. 

Symptoms. — The  animal  first  appears  uneasy,  and 
looses  its  appetite;  the  body  swells,  mostly  on  the  left 


118 

side ;  as  the  pain  increases,  a  greater  re9tlessne«a 
comes  on  ;  the  beast  now  often  lies  down,  but  soon 
rising  again,  strives  to  strike  its  belly  with  its  hind  feet 
or  horns  ;  if  relief  be  not  soon  afforded,  the  bowels  be- 
come so  greatly  distended  by  confined  air  from  the  un- 
digested Ibod,  that  they  sometimes  burst ;  or  the  in- 
flammation increasing,  the  breathing  becomes  more  dis- 
turbed, the  pulse  quicker,  and  the  pain  more  violent ; 
mortification  ensues,  and  death  is  then  inevitable. 

Cure. — Bleed  ;  if  the  animal  be  in  good  condition, 
and  the  horns  hot,  do  it  freely,  even  till  it  faints  ;  then 
give  the  drench  as  per  recipe  No.  5. 

The  following  clyster  may  be  added  ;  and  if  the  an- 
imal be  turned  into  a  field  bare  of  pasture  to  exsrcisa 
itself,  the  cure  may  be  considered  as  effected : 

No  37. — Common  salt,  8  ounces,  and  warm  water,  four  quarts. 
INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  LIVER. 

When  the  liver  becomes  inflamed,  the  biliary  secre* 
lions  are  diminished,  and  less  bile  flowing  into  the  in- 
testines, noi  only  causes  costiveness,  but  the  bile  being 
taken  up  in  the  circulating  mass  of  blood,  produces  a 
yellowness  of  the  eyes  and  other  parts  of  the  body; 
differing  from  the  yellows,  in  being  accompanied  with 
costiveness  and  feverish  symptoms. 

Cause. — Fat  beasts,  in  good  condition,  are  most  sub- 
ject to  this  disease,  particularly  in  the  summer  ;  being 
worried  and  driven  about  by  boys  or  dogs  in  very  hot 
weather  ;  drinking  cold  water  while  heated  ;  exposed 
to  cold  and  heat,  the  one  suddenly  succeeding  the 
other. 

Symptoms. — Cold  shiverings,  alternating  with  in- 
creased heat  of  the  body  ;  breathing  short,  indicated 
by  the  working  of  Uie  flanks ;  pulse  quick  ;  the  white 
of  the  eyes,  mouth  and  other  parts,  of  a  yellow  cast ; 
the  bowels  costive;  and  the  appetite  lost. 

Cure. — It  would  be  of  little  consequence  whether 
this  disease  be  mistaken  for  inflammation  of  the  lung!*, 
or  severe  catarrh,  which  is  often  the  case,  from  its  pe- 
culiar characterestics,  the  yellow  tinge  of  the  eyes  not 
always  appearing  at  the  commencement  of  the  com- 
plaint, as  the  bleeding  and  purging  adopted  for  the  cure 
of  those  disorders  are  equally  effective  in  this  ;  indeed, 
the  same  curative  process  may  invariably  be  pursued  in 
this   case  as  is  there  described. 


119 

QUARTER  ILL,  BLACK  LEG,  BLACK  QUAHTER,  SHOOT 
OF  BLOOD,  &c. 

The  disease  known  under  the  above  names,  is  con- 
sidered contagious,  and  is  most  peculiar  to  young  cat- 
tle, from  one  to  two  years  old,  and  is  a  very  dangerous 
and  destructive  disorder. 

Cause. — It  is  almost  always  caused  by  putting  or  re- 
moving young  stock  from  poor  low  grounds  into  rich 
pasture  :  tempted  by  the  luxuriance  oF  the  new  change, 
they  eat  to  satiety,  a  superabundance  of  blood  is  the 
consequence  ;  and,  although  the  kidneys  and  other  vital 
parts  resist  for  a  while  the  influx,  the  heart  and  lungs 
are  at  la-t  suffocated. 

Symptoms. — The  approach  of  this  disorder  is  ob- 
served, by  the  animal  separating  itself  from  its  com- 
panions, appearing  listiess,  heavy,  and  rejecting  its 
ibod ;  it  ofien,  however,  comes  on  so  suddenly,  that 
the  owner  finds  the  animal  dead  before  he  suspects 
any  thing  amiss.  The  immediate  symptoms  of  this 
disease,  are  : — a  lame  walk,  as  if  sprained,  with  a 
swel'ing  of  the  hindquarters,  and  sometimes  of  the 
shoulders  and  fore  parts.  These  swellings,  when 
pressed,  make  a  crackling  noise,  occasioned  by  the 
air  therein  being  acted  upon  by  a  putrid  state  of  the 
blood.  The  moulh,  and  under  the  tongue,  are  some- 
times affected  with  blisters,  from  the  severity  of  the 
fever,  and  the  pulse  is  quicker  than  natural. 

Cure. — The  moment  you  see  a  young  animal  at- 
tacked, house  it  by  itself,  and  bleed  it  till  it  faints, — 
Two  hours  after,  give  the  following  drink  : 

RECIPE  No.  38. — Ep^om  salts,  6  ounces,  and  boiling-  water  1 
quart.  Give  it  warm.  Common  salt  will  answer,  if  the  salts  aro 
jiot  to  be  had. 

It  rarely  happens,  that  a  cure  is  effected  in  this  dis- 
ease where  the  swelling  has  taken  place  ;  as  however 
such  is  sometimes  the  case,  it  is  well  worth  the  trial, 
even  in  the  most  desperate  case.  The  tumefied  or 
swelled  parts  should  have  an  incision  made  the  whole 
length  of  the  sivelling,  and  nitre  put  into  the  opening, 
with  pledgeis  of  tow  soaked  in  hot  spirits  of  turpen- 
tine, to  encourage  the  formation  of  matter,  and  check 
the  progress  of  the  gangrene.  These  dressings  must 
be  renewed  every  dav. 

i2 


120 

PfiBVENTioisf. — We  have  said  this  dreadful  disease 
may  be  altogether  prevented,  and  perhaps  it  is  more 
desirable  to  be  informed  how,  than  to  know  how  to 
cure  it.  Young  cattle  that  thrive  best,  are  most  sub- 
ject to  this  complaint,  and  should  be  most  watched. — 
As  soon  as  any  one  of  the  herd  is  attacked,  remove 
it  and  put  it  by  itself  while  under  the  curative  process; 
in  the  evening  bring  them  all  into  the  fold  yard,  take 
about  two  quarts  of  blood  from  each,  give  them  the 
drink  No.  38,  and  next  morning,  turn  them  out  in  a 
bare  pasture.  By  this  means  young  animals  may  be 
preserved  from  this  ravaging  complaint. 

STRAINS  AND  BRUISES. 

Where  strains  and  bruises  are  considerable,  bleed- 
ing is  essential ;  afterwards  apply  a  fomentation  of 
very  warm  water,  and  an  emolient  ointment.  In  sit- 
uation that  will  admit  of  it,  an  emolient  poultice  is  to 
be  preferred.  When  the  inflammation  has  subsided, 
the  following  embrocation  may  be  applied,  which  is 
equally  good  for  wounds  : 

RECIPE  No.  39. — Embrocation. — Sweet  oil,  2  ounces;  oil  of 
turpentine  1  ounce ;  and  liquid  ammonia,  1  ounce. 

No.  40. — Digestive  Ointment. — Hog's  lard,  4  ounces  ;  tur- 
pentine, 4  ounces  ;  powdered  verdigris,  1  ounce-  Melt  the  two 
first  ingredients  over  the  lire,  and  while  stirring  it  add  the  verdi- 
gris ;  continue  to  stir  it  after  taking  from  the  lire  till  the  ouitmect 
is  cold. 

FOUL  IN  THE  FOOT,  LOE,  or  LOW. 

It  proceeds  either  from  the  fulness  of  habit  of  body, 
or  redundancy  of  blood  in  the  system  ;  from  being  on 
wet  grounds,  or  from  hard  driving.  Neat  cattle  are 
very  liable  to  this  complaint ;  but  cows  of  a  gross  ha- 
bit of  body  suffer  most  from  it. 

Symptoms. — It  makes  its  appearance  betwixt  the 
claws  or  hoofs  in  the  form  of  a  hard  crack,  attended 
sometimes  with  inflammation  ;  in  a  short  time,  this 
discharges  a  foetid  and  offensive  matter,  similar  to  that 
of  the  grease  in  horses  heels.  At  other  times  it  makes 
its  appearance  with  swelling  on  the  coronet,  between 
the  hair  and  the  hoof,  and  about  the  fetlock  joint,  at- 
tended with  violent  pain  and  inflammation  ;  the  swell- 
i«g  sometimes  extending  all   up  the  le^  and  the  paia 


I'ii 

»o  considerable  as  to  reduce  the  beast  of  its  flosh  tffl 
it  becomes  a  mere  skeleton. 

Curs, — Bleed  copiously,  or  until  the  animal  faints  ; 
if  sufficient  blood  can  be  taken  from  the  toe,  by  open- 
ing the  artery  going  to  that  |)art,  it  will  quickly  and 
readily  afford  relief.  If  the  disease  first  makes  itf 
appearance  between  the  claws,  wash  the  part  clean 
from  all  dirt  and  fillhiness  ;  when  dry,  rub  a  tar  rope 
to  and  fro  between  the  claws  of  the  hoof,  till  an  evi- 
dent glow  of  warmth  is  produced;  then  dress  the  part 
with  a  wooden  skewer  dipped  in  butter  of  antimony, 
oil  of  viiriol,  or  nitrous  acid.  Let  them  stand  dry  one 
hour  after,  and  then  turn  them  on  a  dry  pasture. — 
Do  this  for  two  or  three  days  together  ;  but  if  th« 
parts  about  the  t'ellock  joint  swell,  and  appear  inflam- 
ed,  appiy  a  large  pouiiice  of  linseed  meal,  bean 
meal,  or  rye-  flour,  and  continue  to  do  so  until  the  in- 
flammation and  sv/elling  bo  reduced.  The  cure  of 
this  disease  will  be  considerably  accelerated,  if  the 
following  saline  purgative  be  administered  ; 

RECIPE  No.  41. — Glauber  salts,  10  ounces;  ginger  powdered, 
two  ounces  ;  molasses,  lour  ounces.  Pour  on  three  pints  of  boiling 
sv&ter,  and  give  it  wann. 

The  following  is  an  excellent  ointment  with  which 
the  wound  in  the  foot  may  be  dressed  ; 

RECIPE  No.  40. — Hog's  lard,  2  ounces;  common  turpentine, 
four  ounces;  blue  vitriol,  very  finely  jjowdered,  half  an  ounce.  Mix 
the  lard  and  turpentine  together  by  melting,  and  when  removed 
from  the  fire,  stir  in  the  %'itritol,  and  continue  stirring  till  cold,  stud 
use  it. 

THE  MANGE. 

It  is  seated  in  the  skin,  and  proceeds,  generally, 
from  scanty  or  improper  food  during  the  winter  ;  it 
makes  its  appearance  early  ia  the  spring.  The  itch- 
ing occasioned  by  this  disease  causes  the  animal  to 
rub  itself  against  the  trees,  or  gates,  until  the  hair  be 
rubbed  off,  and  the  skin  thickened,  and  drawn  into 
folds  about  the  shoulders,  neck,  or  cheek.  The  skin 
or  hide,  appears  fast  on  all  parts  of  the  body. 

Cure. — The  parts  affected  must  be  well  rubbed  with 
the  following  ointment,  every  third  day,  for  three 
times,  and  forced  in  by  holding  a 'hot  iron  near  it.  In- 
veterate caaes  will  require  it  to  be  rubbed  in  with  a 
bard  brusk  : 


122 

RECIPE  No  43. — Hog's  lard,  H  ounces;  spirit  of  turpentine,  2 
•tmcc's  ;  flower  of  sulphur,  4  ounces  ;  sulphur  vivum,  2  ounces. 

The  following  drink  will  by  promoting  the  suspen- 
ded secretions,  very  much  accelerate  the  cure  : 

RECTPE  Nc.  44. — Carraway  seeds,  aud  aniseed,  powdered,  two 
ounces  each  ;  grains  of  paradise,  and  nitre,  powdered,  1  oimce  each 
flower  of  sulphur,  two  ounces;  crude  antimony,  powdered  half  an 
ounce ;  molasses,  half  a  pint.  Mix  in  a  qnart  of  strong  ale  or 
gruel. 

If  the  disease  be  of  an  inveterate  nature,  this  dose 
must  be  repeated. 

WARBLES,  W0R:\IS,  &c. 

Are  small  tumors,  which,  in  the  spring  of  the  year 
and  in  summer,  appear  in  various  parts  of  the  body 
of  neat  cattle.  They  are  occasioned  by  the  bite  of  a 
gadfly,  which  punctures  a  small  hole  in  the  back  of 
horned  catile,  and  deposites  its  eggs.  These,  being 
speedily  hatched  by  the  heat  of  the  animal's  body,  a 
small  tumour  arises,  containing  a  grub,  or  maggot, 
which  inflames  the  part,  and  thereby  causes  matter  to 
form.  In  process  of  time,  this  abscess  bursts,  and 
discharges  the  maggot,  wiiich  now  soon  becomes  a 
fly  ;  that,  in  due  time,  deposites  its  eggs  on  the  skin 
of  the  animal,  like  its  parent. 

Cure. — The  usual  way  of  curing  the  warbles,  is  to 
pull  off  the  scab  that  covers  the  tumor :  and  pour  a 
few  drops  of  black  od,  made  according  to  the  follow- 
ing directions,  into  the  wound  :  or  where  this  is  not 
in  readiness,  a  little  spirits  of  turpentine  may  be  ap- 
plied : 

RECIPE  No.  45. — ^Yellow  Lasllicon  ointment,  4  ounces  ;  spirU3 
of  turpentine,  1  ounce  ;  oil  of  vitriol,  half  a  drachm.  Mix  the  two 
first,  and  stir  in  the  vitriol,  little  at  a  time. 

CANCEROUS  ULCERS. 

Symptoms. — These  ulcers  make  their  first  appear- 
ance in  a  hard  tumor,  seated  in  some  glandulous  parts 
of  the  body.  Some  of  these  are  moveable  ;  others, 
fixed  ;  some  are  inflamed,  and  quickly  break  out,  and 
discharge  a  thin  acrid  mattor  ;  others  discharge  a  thin 
yellow  matter,  and  the  wounds  are  apt  to  fill  up  with 
fungus,  or  proua  flesh, 

Jlemedi/. — The  curative  process  depends  much  os 


I'M 

th6  part  of  the  glands  n'here  the  ulcer  is  seated. — 
There  are  some  parts  which  will  admit  of  a  total  ex- 
tirpation ;  which  may  be  done  with  a  suitable  knife,  or 
if  preferred  by  actual  cautery.  When  the  wound  i« 
thoroughly  cleansed  from  all  extraneous  matter,  let  it 
be  touched  all  over  with  lunar  caustic,  or  sprinkled 
with  red  precipitate  ;  and  afterwards  dress  it  with  tha 
following 

RECIPE  No.  46. — Egyptiacum,  2  ounces  ;  compound  tincturd 
of  myrrh,  and  spirits  of  turpentine,  1  ounce  eaclii  sublimate,  finely 
powdered,  1  drachm  ;  spirit  of  salt,  four  drachms.     Mix. 

Dress  the  wound  with  small  pledgets  of  lint  or  tovr 
dipped  in  the  above  mixture,  once  a  day  ;  and  if  any 
superfluous  flesh  appear,  keep  it  down  with  caubtic  ;• 
or  before  dressing,  sprinkle  the  wound  all  over  with 
blue  vitriol. 

When  the  wound  has  been  well  cleansed,  and  th© 
acrid  discharge  has  stopped,  make  a  fresh  ointment, 
composed  of  Tour  ounces  of  yellow  basilican  ointment-, 
«,nd  one  ounce  of  spirits  of  turpentine.  Keep  it  in  a 
pot  for  use.  With  a  wooden  spatula  mix  one  ounce 
of  this  well  with  two  ounces  of  the  above  ointment  No. 
46,  and  dress  the  v/ound  with  it  once  or  twice  a  day 
till  healed. 

A  purgative  medicine  occasionally  administered, 
will  hasten  the  cure. 

BLACK  TONGUE. 

The  same  remedy  given  in  page  91,  of  this  book, 
for  horses,  may  be  used  witii  equal  success  for  neat 
cattle.  Indeed,  there  are  also  several  other  recipes 
and  remedies  given  for  the  horse,  that  are  equally  val- 
uable for  the  cure  of  neat  cattle.  The  reader,  upon 
examination,  will  perceive  the  exact  similarity  of  the 
causes  and  symptoms  of  the  complaints  of  those  ani- 
mals, in  many  cases,  which  require  a  similar  remedy. 
SORE  TEATS. 
Some  cows  are  very  subject  to  sore  teats,  particu- 
larly such  as  have  newly  calved  ;  if  this  be  the  case, 
in  summer,  they  olten  become  ulcerated.  Take  the 
root  of  bittersweet,  and  simmer  it  in  some  lard  or  but- 
ter, and  anoint  the  teats  or  parts  aflected,  and  it  will 
be  a  certain  cure.  It  is  also  good  for  ladies' aor» 
breast*.     The  following  linament  is  very  useful  : 


124 


RECIPE  No.  47. — Ointment  of  elder,  and  yellow  bastlicRn  oint- 
ment, 4  ounces  each;  and  spirits  of  turpentine,  1  ounce.  Mix  well 
together. 

With  this  ointment  you  may  rub  the  teats  well  eve- 
ry night  and  morning,  after  milking.  If  in  the  sum- 
mer, and  the  flies  are  troublesome,  add  one  ounce  of 
nssafcEtida,  or  aloes  in  powders,  and  dissolve  it  along 
with  the  ointment. 

If  the  teats  be  tender  only,  and  not  sore,  a  little 
gentle  rubbing  with  weak  salt  and  water  will  in  gene- 
eral,  be  sufficient. 

LICE  IN  CATTLE, 
Are  troublesone,  and  in  their  effects  cause  the  ani- 
mal to  be  poor  in  flesh  and  appearance.  One  or  two 
washings  with  the  following  lotion,  applied  with  a 
sponge,  at  an  interval  of  five  or  six  days,  will  gener- 
ally remove  these  troublesome  visitors. 

RECIPE  No.  48* — Stavesacre,  4  ounces;  tobacco,  cut  small,  1 
otince  ;  urine,  2  quarts.  Boil  it  till  reduced  one-third,  and  it  is  fie 
to  use  when  cold. 

If  this  do  not  effectually  succeed,  dust  on  the  ani- 
mal some  Scotch  snuff*,  and  when  a  cure  is  effected, 
give  it  a  good  rubbing  with  a  whip  of  straw. 

THE  HOVEN 

in  Cattle,  [says  the  Albany  Cultivator,  edited  by  Jesse 
Buel,  Esq. J  is  caused  by  their  eating  too  abundantly 
of  green  succulent  food,  as  clover,  turnips,  &c.,  and 
under  bad  management,  often  proves  fatal.  A  pint 
of  weak  lye  has  been  found  to  give  relief.  TheNor- 
folk  practice,  according  to  Marshall,  is  to  give  a  beast 
salt  and  water  ;  and,  if  this  fails,  a  horn  of  salt  and 
grease,  warm. 

The  annals  of  Agriculture  directs,  as  a  specific 
cure,  even  in  ihe  most  desperate  cases,  the  following 
dose  : — Three  quarters  of  a  pint  of  olive  oil,  and  one 
pint  of  melted  butter  or  hog's  lard,  to  be  administered 
by  means  of  a  horn  or  bottle.  As  a  preventive,  cattle 
should  not  be  turned  into  rank  clover  while  the  dew  is 
upon  it,  nor  suffered  to  continue  more  than  an  hour  or 
two  in  it  al  a  time,  when  uncropped.  For  further  in- 
formation, the  reader  is  referred  to  a  preceding  page, 
under  the  head  of  **  Hoveq  or  Blowot" 


125 

SALT,  A  PRESERVATIVE  OF  HEALTH. 

Its  effects  upon  the  animal  system  are  alike  benefi- 
cial in  man  and  beast.  We  prefer  it  in  our  daily  food. 
It  would  be  equally  grateful  and  beneficial  if  admin- 
istered daily  to  our  cattle.  If  at  all  times  accessible 
they  will  never  take  it  to  excess  ;  at  least  (says  a  prac- 
tical farmer,)  I  have  never  known  them  to  do  so  in 
twelve  years'  experience  ;  for  during  that  period  I 
have  had  troughs  with  salt  in  them  constantly  under 
my  sheds,  to  which  the  stock  have  had  daily  access  ; 
and  no  disease,  not  even  the  black  tongue,  has  shown 
itself  among  them.  General  Barnum  stales,  that  salt, 
with  an  occasional  admixture  of  saltpetre,  is  not  only 
a  preventive,  but  a  cure  where  it  has  commenced  its 
attack. 

ULCERS. 

They  rise  on  the  surface  of  the  animaPs  body,  of  a 
flolrid  or  n^ddish  color,  small  in  size,  and  pointed  at  the 
top  ;  the  discharge  white  and  thick.  Mild  and  simple 
ointment,  made  of  oil  or  lard  and  bees-wax.  will  be  best 
in  moderate  cases.  The  following  is  also  recommen- 
ded ;  one  pound  goose  grease,  two  pounds  hog's  lard, 
three  ounces  red  lead,  one  pound  pulverized  alum. — 
Melt  the  grease,  stir  in  the  lead  and  alum,  and  keep 
stirring  till  cold.  A  purgative  of  sulphur  and  nitre 
should  be  given. 

If  the  ulcers  assume  an  inflamed  state,  and  the  sur- 
face is  covered  with  a  brown  transparent  matter,  the 
following  fomentation  will  prove  useful ;  Cammomile 
flower,  half  a  pound  ;  a  handful  of  wormwood ;  bay  and 
juniper  berries,  four  ounces  each  ;  beer  or  ale  grounds, 
emptins  or  yeast,  six  quarts  ;  vinegar,  one  quart.  Tho 
whole  to  be  boiled  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour. 
HORN  DISTEMPER. 

This  causes  the  pith  of  the  horn  to  be  gradually 
consumed.  It  is  most  commonly  confined  to  one  horn 
only,  but  sometimes  appears  in  both.  It  is  discover- 
ed by  the  sluggishness  of  the  animal,  loss  of  appetite 
a  coldness  of  the  horn,  and  a  disposition  to  lie  down. 

To  cure  the  disorder,  the  horn  should  be  bored  v/ith 
a  nail  gimblet  in  such  a  manner  as  to  eflect  a  dis- 
charge of  the  matter  which  has  become  purulent. — 
Th«  hoUow  part  should  be    eleangtsd   by  virtegftr,  in 


126 

which  a  portion  of  salt  has  been  dissolved,  to  be  injec- 
ted by  a  syringe.  Dr.  Deano  reccommends  the  injec- 
tion of  a  mixture  of  rum  and  honey,  with  myrrh  and 
aloes.  Stimulating  medicine,  such  as  ginger,  spices, 
&c.,  have  been  given,  but  these  are  injurious  until 
the  bowels  have  been  evacuated.  Laxatives  however 
such  as  sulphur,  salts,  &c.,  prove  serviceable;  and 
after  the  bowels  are  evacuated,  and  the  horn  cleansed, 
good  keeping  will  be  necessary  to  effect  a  cure. 

TAIL  SICKNESS. 
This  is  a  distemper  attended  with  weakness  andslug- 
"ishness  to  which  horned  cattle  are  liable  in  the  spring. 
The  end  of  the  tail  becomes  hollow,  and  relaxed,  but 
not,  as  some  have  asserted,  destitute  of  feeling.  A  cure 
is  easily  effected  by  the  amputation  of  a  small  piece  of 
the  tail,  which  will  be  attended  with  a  discharge  of  some 
blood.  But  when  the  tail  is  but  little  affected,  and  near 
to  the  end,  a  slit  of  an  inch  and  a  half,  in  the  end  of  the 
tail,  is  preferable  to  amputation. 

USEFUL  INSTRUCTIONS. 

How  TO  TELL  THE  AGE  OF  Cattle. — Their  age 
may  easily  be  known  by  their  teeth ;  like  sheep,  they 
have  no  fore  teeth  in  the  upper  jaw  ;  it  is  the  lower,  there- 
fore, by  which  this  must  be  determined  ;  the  horns  also 
afford  some  guide  in  this  respect. 

The  eio^ht  fore  teeth  of  the  lower  jaw  are  shed,  and  re- 
placed by  others  which  continue  throughout  life :  the  two 
middle  four  teeth  fall  out  at  about  two  years  old,  and  are 
gradually  succeded  by  two  new  ones,  not  so  white.  At 
three  years  old,  they  have  two  more  exchanged,  next  to 
those  of  the  previous  year ;  and  thus,  by  two  more  suc- 
ceeding years,  all  the  fore  teeth  are  renewed  ;  they  are 
then  teniied  full-mouthed  ;  and  are  five  years  old.  At 
the  sixth  year,  the  row  is  even,  the  last  two  being  full  up* 
Besides  these  they  have  ten  grinders  in  each  jaw.  The 
teeth  of  cattle,  also,  begin  to  become  loose  at  about  8 
years  old,  and  continue  to  get  more  so  as  they  advance  in 
a<Te  till  they  finally  drop  out,  one  after  another,,  which  is 
assure  guide  to  judge  the  age  after  eight  years  old. 

At  the  age  of  three  years  the  horns  are  smooth  and 
•ven  ;  in  the  course  of  the  fourth  year  a  wrinkle  or  cir- 
cle forma  round  the  basis  of  the  horn,  near  the  head  ; 


127 

this  is  every  year  succeeded  by  another,  which  always 
seems  to  move  the  other  forward.  At  looking,  there- 
fore, at  the  horns,  if  the  first  circle  be  considered  as 
three  years,  it  will  be  an  easy  task  to  tell  the  age  at  any 
subsequent  period.  An  implicit  reliance  can  be  placed 
in  either  of  the  above  methods  of  judging  the  age,  un- 
less the  vender  be  an  unprincipled  knave,  and  to  de- 
ceive the  buyer,  files  down  some  of  the  teeth  and  alsro 
the  wrinckles  from  the  horns — in  which  case,  the  coun- 
tenance and  general  appearance,  and  the  looseness  of 
the  teeth  after  eight  years,  will  be  the  only  guides. 

BREEDING. — Heifers  should  not  on  any  account 
be  put  to  the  bull  before  they  have  passed  the  second 
year ;  indeed,  if  three  years  be  allowed,  the  much  bet- 
ter condition  of  the  calves  and  the  health  and  strength  of 
the  cow  for  years  to  come,  will  amply  repay  the  one 
year's  delay.  Cows  may  be  expected  to  produce  a  calf 
every  year,  but  if  an  occasional  year  be  allowed  to  pass 
without  breeding,  it  will  improve  their  condition.  The 
general  rule,  is  not  to  put  them  again  to  bull  before  thee 
cease  to  give  milk  ;  and  then  at  the  moment  they  arn 
most  in  heat,  as  they  conceive  more  readily.  Whee 
not  with  calf,  they  are  generally  in  heat  every  threy 
weeks.  They  are  known  to  be  in  heat  by  the  following 
signs  : — they  are  continually  lowing,  and  mounting  each 
other,  or  upon  the  bull :  they  are  restless  and  often  run- 
ning about ;  there  is  also  an  elevation  of  the  tail,  a 
swelling  of  the  genital  parts,  &;c.  After  they  have  taken 
the  bull,  they  should  be  taken  away,  and  not  brought  to 
him  again,  unless  they  are  again  in  the  heat. 

The  cow  goes  nine  months  with  calf  j  some  give 
milk  during  the  whole  time ;  it  is,  however,  advisable, 
as  a  general  rule,  to  cease  to  milk  them  at  7  months, 
unless  the  udder  should  be  swelled,  and  then  merely 
for  relief  to  the  animal  than  any  service  to  which  the 
milk  can  be  applied  ;  as'it  is  now  of  little  value,  and 
necessary  to  the  nourishment  of  the  foetal  calf. 

Cows  that  are  with  calf,  should  be  kept  in  fields 
where  the  ground  is  nearly  level,  and  where  there  are 
no  large  ditches ;  as  abortion  is  often  a  consequence 
of  the  leaping  over  ditches,  or  slipping  on  very  hilly 
or  steep  ground. 

Pregnant  cows,  and   especially   such  as  are  near 
K 


128' 

calving,  ought  to  be  fed  with  better  and  more  substan- 
tial food  than  usual.  Grain  of  any  kind  is  now  useful, 
bat  it  must  be  bruised  or  crushed  ;  barley  and  oats  are 
the  best  kinds.  Some  good  soft  fragrant  hay  of  the 
second  crop,  or  skimmings,  should  be  reserved  for  this 
purpose. 

When  pregnant  cows  are  kept  together  in  the  same 
pasture,  they  should  be  protected  from  being  frightened 
by  dogs  or  raced  about  and  worried  ;  and  prevented 
quarreling  or  hurting  themseives,  as  they  are  more 
liable  to  abortion  than  any  other  domestic  animals. 

x\bove  all,  give  them  sufficient  gentle  exercise,  treat 
them  kindly  and  soothingly,  and  feed  Ibem  with  food 
that  is  easy  of  digestion,  and  which  contains  a  good 
deal  of  nutriment  in  a  small  bulkj  giving  it  them  a 
little  at  a  time,  and  that  little  often.  The  approach  of 
calving  is  known  by  the  cow  bellowitig,  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  udder,  the  restlessness  of  the  animal,«and 
the  falling  of  the  flank  and  croup.  The  cow  should 
then  be  constantly  watched,  that  she  may  have  assist- 
ance if  necessary,  at  the  lime  of  calving. 

When  the  calf  is  presented  with  the  head  and  fore 
feet  first,  and  its  back  towards  the  cow's  back,  it  ii 
termed  a  natural  position  ;  all  others  are  unnatural  and 
require  assistance.  When  the  waters  are  broke,  and 
the  head  is,  but  neither  or  only  one  of  the  fore  feet 
presented,  lay  hold  of  the  calf's  head,  and  wait  till 
the  throes  are  off,  then  gently  push  it  back,  and  rectify 
the  feet  and  assist  them  to  come  with  ihe  head,  but 
use  no  force  to  draw  out  the  calf. 

When  the  calf  is  properly  cleaned  by  the  animal's 
licking  it,  or  a  clean  linen  cloth,  let  the  naval  siring 
be  tied  with  a  waxed  thread  several  times  round,  about 
two  inches  from  the  body  5  secure  it  with  a  double 
knot,  and  with  a  pair  of  scissors,  clip  it  ofi*  a  little  be- 
low the  tied  part. 

Let  it  suck  the  first  milk — this  will  cleanse  the  bow- 
els, and  prevent  costiveness. 

Let  it  suck  three  months  ;  let  its  food  be  easy  of 
digestion,  and  give  it  plenty  of  skimmed  milk.  Keep 
it  very  clean,  and  let  it  have  gentle  exercise. 


CONTENTS. 


HOW  TO  KNOW  A  GOOD  HORSE. 

Directions  to  persons  going  to  buy  a  horse 

Page  4 

How  to  know  a  horse's  age,  perfections,  &c. 

6  to  14 

DISEASES,  FEVER,  &c. 

14 

A  Cold  or  Catarrh, 

23 

Costiveness, 

16 

Chronic  Cough, 

26 

Disease  of  the  Bladder, 

35 

Diabete  or  Excessive  staling, 

ib 

How  to  know  the  state  of  health  by  the  pulse, 

36 

Inflammation  of  the  Lungs, 

21 

"                  "       Stomach  and  Intestines. 

2C 

f'                  "       Kidneys, 

34 

Low  Fever, 

17 

Liver  Complaint, 

32 

Molten  grease,  symptoms  and  remedy. 

29 

The  Cough, 

24 

The  Cholic,  Gripes  or  Frets, 

30 

The  Jaundice  or  Yellows, 

33 

Where  to  feel  the  pulse, 

37 

EXTERNAL  DISORDERS. 

Anticor, 

58 

Critical  Abscess, 

38 

Curb, 

69 

Disorders  of  the  Foot  and  Leg, 

67 

Diseases  of  the  Foot, 

74 

Fistula  in  the  Withers, 

44 

Farcy, 

55 

Frush  or  Thrush, 

75 

Founder,  general  treatise  on, 

81 

Glanders, 

53 

Grease, 

60 

Hide  Bound, 

65 

Lampers,  or  Lampas, 

49 

Poll  Evil, 

40 

Quittor, 

46 

CONTENTS  Continued. 

Ring  Bone,  I'age  67 

Saddle  GalLs,  or  Warbles — Sitfasts,  4-'> 
Strangles  and  Strangles  of  the  Gullet,                               50  to  52 

Surfeit — Mange,  63 

Spavin,  68 

Splent,  69 

Sand  Crack,  76 

Strains  of  the  coffin  joint,  78 

"             "     Shoulder,  79 

'^     Back,  80 

••              *'     Sinews  and  Ligitures,  71 

I'he  Mange,                                                                     #  64 

Thoroughpin.  67 

The  Com,                                                    ,  77 

Kives,  47 

Wind  GalLs,  '     67 


RECEIPES  USED  WITH  SUCCESS  IN  VARIOUS  i'ARTS 
OF  THE  COUNTRY. 

DISEASES  PECULIAR  TO  NEAT  CATTLE. 

Atrophy,  or  Consumption,                                      ^  104 

Blain,  or  Fevers  with  swelling,  112 

Black  Tongue,  123 

Breeding,  127 

Chronic  Indigestion,  98 

Clue  Bound,  or  Fardel  Bound  and  Pantas,  103 

Choking,  106 

Catarrh,  Fellon,  Cold,  Epidemic,  &:c.,  115 

Cancerous  Ulcers,  112 

Dysentery,  Slimy  Flux,  or  Scouring  Rot,  100 

Diseases  caused  by  over  feeding,  105 

"           from  a  repletion  of  blood,  108 

Downfiill,  Udder  111,  sore  Udders,  &c.,  110 

Dian'hoea,  or  looseness,  99 

Poll  Evil,  40 

Quittor,  46 

Ring  Bone,  67 

Saddle  Galls,  or  Warbles,  Sitfasts,  45 
Strangles  and  Strangles  of  the  Gullet,                                50  to  52 

Surfeit, — Majige,  63 

Spavin,  68 


CONTENTS  CoNTiNVED. 

Splent,  '        Page  69 

Sand  Crack,  76 

Strains  of  the  Coffin-joint,  78 

do    do     Shoulder,  79 

do    do     Back,  80 

do    do     Back-Sinevr  and  Ligaments,  71 

The  Mange,  64 

Thoroughpin,  67 

The  Corn,  77 

Vives,  47 
Puerperals,  or  Milk  Fever,  and  Inflammation  of  the  womb,  113 
Quarter-Ill,  Bleick  leg,  Black  quarter,  Shoot  of  blood,  &c.,  119 

Red  and  Black  Water,  109 

Staggers,  Vertigo,  Lethargy,  Swimming  of  head,  &c.,  100 

Stoppage  of  water.  Retention  of  Urine,  &jc.,  104 

Sore  Teats,  123 

Salt,  a  presen-ative  of  health,  125 

Strains  and  Bruises,  120 

The  Mange,  121 

The  Hoven,  124 

Tail  Sickness,  126 

Ulcers,  125 

Warbles,  Worms,  &c.,  122 

Yellow j,  or  Jaundice,  97 

k2      ^^^ 


#*^ 


THIS  Vegetable  prepara- 
tion is  a  sure  remedy  for  most 
cases  of  pain  in  the  stomach, 
bowels,  breast,  back,  or  pain 
in  the  head ;  those  pains  com- 
mon in  cases  of  dysentery, 
cholic  pains,  cholera  morbus, 
rheumatic,  toothache,  stitch, 
or  debility  of  the  back  or  side, 
palpitation,  cold  chills,  bruises, 
sprains,  recent  burns,  quinsy, 
or  swollen  throat,  common  or 
violent  colds,  bites  or  stings  of 
insects,  wounds,  &c. 

Directions. — In  all  cases, 
from  half  a  tea-spoonful  to  a 
tea-spoonful  or  two  may  be  ta- 
ken in  twice  the  quantity  of 
water,  and  as  near  the  seat  of 
pain  as  convenient  should  be 
bathed  at  the  same  time.  After 
bathing  tha  head,  apply  the 
hand  to  the  nose  while  moist- 
ened with  the  drops  and  inhale 
the  vapor.  For  toothache,  hold 
some  of  the  drops  in  the  moutli 
after  taking  and  bathing,  as  a- 
bove  directed.  For  palpita- 
tion a  dose  should  be  taken  every  morning. 

Prepared  and  for  sale,  wholesale  and  retail,  by  J.  M.  CLARK, 
No.  20,  Clay  street,  Rochester.     Price  50  cents. 

N.  B. — The  above  will  soon  be  for  sale  through  this  and  other 
States,  in  all  the  cities  and  villages. 

Mr.  John  M.  Clark — Dear  Sir :  Having  used  in  my  family  for 
six  years  past  the  "  Egyptian  Balm,"  I  take  much  pleasure  in  re- 
commending it  as  an  invaluable  medicine  for  coughs  and  colds,  and 
as  an  external  application  in  cases  of  sprains,  bums,  bruises,  cuts, 
&c.  I  consider  it  a  medicine  which  every  family  ought  at  all 
times  to  have  in  the  medicine  box,  for  an  immediate  outward  ap- 
plication.    In  almost  all  cases  there  is  nothing  better. 

Yours  respectfully,  STEPHEN  COOK- 

Rochester,  15th  July,  1841. 


CLARK'S  BLUE  FLUID. 

A  superior  article  to  any  now  in  use;  wan-anted  not  to  fade,  or 
settle,  or  injure,  by  standing  open, — will  be  sold  at  Rochester  as 
low  as  can  be  bought  in  New  York.  Orders  will  be  filled  to  country 
Merchants  and  others,  at  all  times.     Address 

J.  M.  CLARK,  No.  20,  Clay  street, 

Rochester. 


JOHN  M.  CLARK, 

General  Travelling  Agent  for  the  following 

Articles. 

Resurrection,  or  Persian  Pills  ;  Jew  David's,  or  Hebrew  Plaster  ; 
Magnetic  Remedies  ;  Nursing  Soi-e  Mouth  and  Canker  Remedies  ; 
also,  numerous  other  popular  articles  of  Medicines,  put  up  in  New 
York,  which  he  will  furnish  to  Dniggists  and  others,  as  he  travels 
through  this  and  other  States  :  also  will  fill  orders  at  Rochester,  to 
any  one  wishing,  where  there  is  no  general  agent  appointed.  Ad- 
dress JOHN  M.  CLARK,  No.  20,  Clay  street, 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Clark's  Erasive  Soap. 

A.  newly  invented  article  for  extracting  oil,  grease,  paint,  tar,  &c. 
from  carpets,  coat  collars,  silks,  calicoes,  and  clothes  of  every  des- 
cription. It  is  warranted  in  all  cases,  to  extract  every  particle  of 
grease,  oil,  paint,  &c.  ;  if  not,  the  money  will  be  refunded  by  the 
letailer,  and  be  allowed  by  the  wholesaler.  The  above  is  also  war- 
i-anted  not  to  injure  the  finest  texture  of  any  garment ;  this  article 
is  now  extensively  used  in  the  eastern  States,  where  Bullard's  Oil 
of  Soap,  and  many  other  articles  for  the  same  pui-pose  have  been  in 
high  reputation,  are,  since  this  article  has  been  offered  to  the  public, 
fast  sinking  into  oblivion.  The  Erasive  Soap  far  excels  any  thing 
ever  offered  in  this  country  for  cleaning  soiled  garments,  or  paints 
about  your  houses.  The  above  will  soon  be  extensively  circulated 
throughout  the  United  States.  .. 

Manufactured  and  sold,  wholesale  and  retail,  by  J.  M.  CLARK, 
No.  20,  Clay  street,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 


jJHW  ©A^niE)' 


OK 


HEBREW  PLASTER. 


The  peculiarities  of  this  Chemical  Compound,  are  owing  to  ite 
exti-aordinary  effects,  upon  the  animal  fibre  or  nerves,  ligaments  and 
muscles,  its  virtues  being  earned  by  them  to  the  immediate  seat  of 
disease,  or  of  pain  and  weakness. 

However  good  any  internal  remedy  may  be,  this,  as  an  external 
?ipplication,  will  prove  a  powerful  auxiliary,  in  removing  the  dis- 
ease and  facilitating  the  cure,  in  cases  of  Local  Inflammation,  Scrof- 
ulous affections,  King's  Evil,  Gout,  Inflammatory  and  Chronic  Rheu- 
matism, and  in  all  ca^es  where  seated  pain  or  weakness  exist. 

A  gentleman  travelling  in  the  south  of  Europe  and  Palestine,  in 
1830,  heard  so  much  said  in  the  latter  place,  m  praise  of 

JEW  DAVID'S,  or  HEBREW  PLASTER, 

and  of  the  (as  he  considered)  miraculous  cures  it  had  performed, 
that  he  was  induced  to  try  it  on  his  own  person,  for  a  Limg  and 
Liver  affection,  the  removal  of  which  had  been  the  chief  object  of 
his  journey,  but  which  luid  resisted  the  genial  influence  of  that  balmy 
and  delicious  climate.  He  soon  found  his  health  improving ;  and 
in  a  few  v/^eeks  his  cough  left  him,  the  sallowness  of  his  skin  disap- 
peared, the  pain  was  removed,  and  his  health  became  permanently 
reinstated.  Since  that  time,  he  has  been  recommending  it  to  his 
friends  and  acquaintances,  for  all  fixed  pains  whatever,  such  as 
rheumatism,  gout,  hcad-aclie,  nervous  tooth-ache,  pains  in  the  side, 
hip,  back,  and  limbs,  scrofulous  humors,  knots,  wens,  white  swell- 
ing, hard  tumors,  stiff  joints,  ague  cakes,  ague  in  the  breast,  weak- 
ness cind  jiain  in  the  stomach,  vreak  limbs,  lameness,  aflcctions  of 
the  spine,  female  weaknesses,  &c.  No  female  subject  to  pain  or 
weakness  in  the  back  or  side,  should  be  without  it. 

MARRIED  LADIES 

in  delicate  situations,  find  great  relief  from  constantly  wearing  this 
plaster.  The  application  of  this  plaster  between  the  shoulders,  ha« 
been  found  a  certain  remedy  for  colds, -coughs,  phthisic,  and  lung 
affections,  in  their  primary  stages.  It  destroys  inflammation  by 
producing  a  copious  perspiration.  No  physiciaai  should  be  with- 
out it. 

Gents. — I  have  been  for  many  years  afflicted  with  a  painful  dis- 
ease in  the  small  of  the  back  and  left  hip  and  limb.  The  flesh  swel- 
led in  ridges  on  each  side  of  the  spinal  column,  and  my  limb  was 
considerably  perished.  The  pain  was  so  intense  at  times,  that  it 
seemed  to  me  that  I  could  not  endure  it  for  an  hour.     The  only  po-, 


sitioii  that  I  could  place  myself  in  so  as  to  endure  it,  was  by  lying 
on  my  back  on  a  iiard  surface.  I  advised  with  several  physicians, 
and  tried  all  their  prescriptions  ;  one  of  which  was  to  blister,  which 
I  followed  up  for  weeks,  but  with  little  success.  Plasters,  lina- 
ments,  salves,  and  washes,  were  resorted  to,  but  all  proved  ineffect- 
ual. At  last  a  gentleman  sent  me  a  box  of  Jew  David's,  or  Hebrew 
Plaster,  which  I  kept  standing  in  the  house  for  several  days,  not 
having  faith  in  medicine  being  able  to  remove  my  complaint ;  how- 
ever, at  last  severe  pain  made  me  willing  to  try  something.  I  put 
on  the  Hebrew  Plaster  according  to  directions,  and  to  my  surjirise 
it  helped  me,  and  a  continuance  of  it  has  so  far  r-elieved  me,  that  I 
am  able  to  do  a  pretty  good  day's  work.  I  would  advise  all  to 
make  a  trial  of  it,  that  are  afflicted  with  swellings  or  pain. 

E.  T.  COGSWELL. 
Scottsville,  June  6,  1841. 

For  particulars,  see  bill  that  accompanies  each  box  and  directions. 
Each  box  contains  sufficient  to  spread  6  or  8  plasters.  Price  fifty 
cents.  Orders  addressed  to  J.  M.  Clark,  Rochester,  will  receive 
attention.  Wholesale  and  retail,  at  the  office  of  E.  CHASE  &  Co., 
Arcade  Hall,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

For  sale  by  agents  in  most  of  the  villages  and  cities  in  the  United 
States. 

Resurrection,  or  Persian  Pills, 

TO  THE  AFFLICTED. 

This  is  to  certify  that  I  was  attacked  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  with 
what  was  called  a  scrofulous  affection  in  my  mouth  and  throat,  al- 
though it  was  called  by  physicians  of  the  first  standing,  and  others, 
a  kings  evil,  I  called  on  many  physicians  for  help ;  one  was  Doct. 
Thompson  of  Geddes,  the  well  known  Thompsonian  ;  there  I  doc- 
tored three  months  and  came  very  near  dying.  I  have  now  in  my 
house  pieces  of  jaw  bone,  from  one  to  one  and  a  half  inches  in 
length,  taken  from  my  jaw  at  that  time  ;  this  I  thought  was  suffer- 
ing in  a  severe  manner,  I  finally  gave  up  being  helped  here,  and 
coming  to  the  conclusion  that  it  would  be  best  to  leave,  I  did  so. — 
I  then  called  on  the  well  known  Dr.  White  of  Chei'i-y  Valley  ;  there 
I  doctored  for  a  long  time  and  received  a  partial  benefit,  but  my 
complaint  soon  came  on  again,  as  bad  as  ever.  The  disease  kept 
increasing  until  my  pallet  was  entii'ely  eat  out,  and  my  mouth  and 
the  whole  inside  of  my  head  so  eat  up  that  I  could  scarcely  speak 
so  as  to  be  understood  by  my  most  intimate  acquaintances;  I  finally 
despaired  of  ever  being  any  better.  I  omitted  purchasing  property 
which  I  should  have  bought  if  there  had  been  the  least  probability 
of  my  ever  living  to  enjoy  it.  I  kept  trying  every  new  medicine  I 
could  hear  of,  amongst  the  rest  Moffit's  Pills  and  Bitters,  this  in^ 
creased  the  irritation,  I  now  came  fully  to  the  conclusion  that  I 
must  soon  be  consigned  to  the  silent  tomb,  unless  I  could  get  help 
immediately,  one  more  effort  was  now  to  be  made  for  the  last  time, 
having  tried  almost  every  thing  else,  and  a  drowning  man  will  catch 
at  straws  ;  the  next  astonishing  medicine  that  presented  itself  to  me 
was  the  Resurrection  Pills;  well  thinks  I,  this  may  be  the  kind  yet,( 
on  further  enquiry  as  to  these  pills,  I  found  they  had  already  estab- 
lished to  themselves  a  character  far  beyond  my  expectations,  found 


there  had  been  cures  performed  by  the  constant  use  of  these  pill?, 
that  was  incretlable  to  be  believed.  I  finally  sent  and  purchased  a 
box  of  Messrs  Castile  &  Andrews  in  Fabius  village,  and  commen- 
ced taking  them  the  first  of  July  last,  at  that  time  the  whole  of  the 
inside  of  my  mouth  and  head  was  entirely  raw,  I  have  never  missed 
but  one  night  since  that  time  without  taking  the  pills,  my  health 
soon  commenced  improving  and  has  continued  to  get  better  up  to 
this  date.  My  mouth  and  head  are  nearly  as  sound  as  ever.  I  am 
now  thirty-one  years  old,  and  have  been  afiiicted  beyond  description 
for  sixteen  years,  and  I  thank  God  for  the  benefit  I  have  received 
from  the  constant  use  of  the  Resun-ection  or  Persian  Pills,  for  they 
have  raised  me  when  all  other  medicine  had  failed,  there  is  no 
guess  work  in  this  matter.  I  know  the  pills  have  cured  me;  if  any 
one  wants  to  see  me  and  hear  a  more  full  description  of  my  suffer- 
ings, they  will  please  to  call  on  me  at  my  residence  in  the  town  of 
Fabius,  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  on  the  road  between  truxton  and  Fo- 
bius  Villages.  I  publish  this  to  the  world,  hoping  it  may  fall  into 
the! hands  of  the  afflicted. 

Fabius,  June  20th,  1840.  IRA  HODGSON. 


\ 


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